Shelley Craft – Mummy To Twins Plus One

The kids and I were lucky to get a sneak peak into Disney on Ice, Frozen.

“Disney On Ice presents Frozen is inviting audiences across Australia to accompany Anna on her epic journey to save her sister Elsa and the kingdom of Arendelle this June-July. Featuring world-class ice skating and dazzling special effects, don’t miss this breathtaking ice spectacular when Disney on Ice presents Frozen comes to a city near you!”

We were invited to Canterbury Ice Rink to see former Disney on Ice skaters showcase their moves, the kids got some help with their skating and we enjoyed seeing Shelley Craft again. It was a fun day.

The girls checking out the ice at Canterbury Ice Rink. They were very excited to skate and to experience Disney On Ice, Frozen.

Before we entered the ice rink the girls were desperate to go play in the park that is right next door. I thought that would be fine as we were very early. However I did not think it through very well and the grass was soaked due to the non stop rain and muddy. Not good. One kid came back from the play equipment screaming and yelling and of course crying!

Oh no what had happened. She got her pants wet from one of the pieces of equipment. She demanded that I get her new pants. The problem with this was that I did not pack a change of clothes and could not get a quick replacement as there were no shops nearby. I of course was in an area that I was not familiar with and did not want to venture to far and be late to join in the fun with Disney on Ice.

If you can understand what kids are like she was not understanding that I could not fix it and I told her that I was sorry.

I even made a great Frozen joke.

Mummy to the kid with the wet pants,” Your pants will dry out soon, you will just need to wait”

Kid with the wet pants, “They are uncomfortable and wet!!!!!!!! I want new ones!!!”

Mummy to the kid with the wet pants, “I thought the cold didn’t bother you anyway.”

See what I did…. I quoted Frozen. I thought this was super clever. However the kid who was suffering with the wet pants did not see the humour in this at all. Pity really. One other mum next to me laughed and liked it.

Sad that the kids didn’t think my joke was worthy of a laugh.

They were being jokers and doing a dance. I'm glad they did not fall over after this. — They were being jokers and doing a dance. I’m glad they did not fall over after this.

Okay…. now for one of the Frozen jokes from the twins.

Q: “Why can’t Elsa hold a balloon?”

A: Because she will “Let it Go!”

Insert laughter… I know you are laughing…. I can hear you.

Happy girls skating and having fun with Disney on Ice.

The kids loved watching the professional skaters and marveled at how easy they made skating look. I know hours and hours of practice must go into being this good, and you just don’t suddenly get to be this good. If you are like me, I could watch professional skaters do their tricks and clever moves for hours as well.

The girls and I had photos with the lovely Shelley Craft and learnt about how she is the ambassador for Disney on Ice Australia.

Shelly Craft, Julia and Lillian at the sneak peak for Disney on Ice Frozen.

Shelley Craft, and me (Suzanne Robinson). Julia took this picture of us. Don't look to closely but I am holding onto some icing from one of the amazing Frozen cupcakes that the kids wanted to still eat. — Shelley Craft, and me (Suzanne Robinson). Julia took this picture of us. Don’t look to closely but I am holding onto some icing from one of the amazing Frozen cupcakes that the kids wanted to still eat.

We even met Mickey Mouse. At first Alexander was not too sure but Mickey made us all feel comfortable.

The kids and I with Mickey Mouse at Disney on Ice Frozen Sneak Peak.

Mickey Mouse was very nice and the kids loved him. Alexander was very tired due to not feeling the best. Also it was a huge day out for all of us.

The girls got a lovely goodie bag and I was even given the most amazing cupcakes we have had. They were from Black Velvet in Sydney.

Black Velvet Cupcakes Sydney. They are so yummy!

The most amazing Frozen decorated cupcakes. They are from Black Velvet in Sydney.

I have purchased tickets so that the twins and can see Disney on Ice Frozen in July. We cannot wait. It is going to be a fun girls night out.

Would you love to go as well? Shows are from June – July and are happening all over Australia.

Go to Disney on Ice Australia to find out the schedule and purchase tickets.

As a mother to twin girls and a little boy I want to ensure that all my kids are healthy and well. I’m sure if you are a parent or help care for kids that would be what you would like too. However there are times when everyone gets sick. One child might have a cold, a fever, the flu or if it was like our ongoing saga with tonsillitis it effected both kids until they were removed (the girls have been well aside from the common cold and illness since the removal of their tonsils.)

Shelley Craft, Buddy Bear, myself (Suzanne), the girls and our little boy. What fun the kids had, although the baby was teething and still is. (He cheered up once he got some Children's Panadol to make him feel better) — Shelley Craft, Buddy Bear, myself (Suzanne), the girls and our little boy. What fun the kids had, although the baby was teething and still is. (He cheered up once he got some Children’s Panadol to make him feel better)

When your little ones get sick you do your best to make them feel better. It could be cuddles, songs, yummy food, and favourite shows and of course some medicine to help your kids feel more like themselves and allow the body to get better, rest is best so that you can be well.

No matter how simple or common the sickness is you cannot help but worry about your children. When my kids are sick I am worried about them all the time.

Last Thursday the kids and I went to learn about Children’s Panadol (The kids were excited to meet Shelley Craft. Yes I watch The Block and therefore so do the kids) great new online resources to help parents care for sick kids and to also alleviate the anxiety that can go with sickness.

Shelley Craft from the Block and Dr Kimberley O’Brien who is the founder of Quirky Kid Clinic and also an expert in child development and mental health. Both Shelley Craft and Dr O’Brien spoke about how to have planning strategies to help parents deal with stress and anxiety when children get ill as it can be HUGE help for parents and children as well.

This talk was in response to a “new global survey of parents, including Australians, suggests that parents manage day to day mishaps and mistakes calmly, but still get stressed about the important things like helping their children through illness”

“71% of Australian parents fell anxious about fever/temperature and 66% feel anxious about their child’s pain”

Children’s Panadol have created the following tools to help support parents in managing their child’s health:

Buddy Bear is an interactive animated website that allows parents to entertain children when they are sick. It is a good idea to create the different files before you need them as you can save them to your device. Once you are on the site you are asked if your child is a boy/girl. Then fill in age, email and add photo and your video will be emailed to you when it is ready. Get organised and download a few so you have them ready.
While your child is watching Buddy Bear you can get the dosage of Children’s Panadol correct and not be so flustered and anxious.

Buddy Bear – The great new interactive way to keep your little one entertained while you get the medicine sorted to help your child get better. Developed and created by Children’s Panadol.

The First Five Years Book – This fabulous resource is written by child health nurses to help parents with practical tips and tricks to help them understand the ups and downs from birth to 5 years old, help you enjoy being a parent, learn about major milestones, understand activities that your baby might be doing. You can read it online or download it.
Bub Tracker App – This is a FREE App that helps new parents with advice on dosage for medicines, feeding tracker, feeding log and much more.“Parents do not sweat the small stuff, but worry more about the illness cause, recovery and prevention – especially mothers”

Children's Panadol Bub Tracker App - Great guide for parents — Children’s Panadol Bub Tracker App – Great guide for parents

I hate it when kids are sick. I wish I could make it all go away. I also hate when I get sick, yes if kids get ill, I end up sick too! Perils of motherhood.

The tools from Panadol are a HUGE help to make it a little easier on parents and also kids. I have downloaded some of buddy bear’s interactive videos in preparation for Alexander.

Dr Kimberley O’Brien has 5 tips to help manage anxiety and soothe your sick child/children:

Make a Plan. Having a plan removes second guessing yourself and the worry. Make sure that you include distraction and calming tools if medication is required.
Know your tools. Have a favourite toy/book/game to help comfort your child. A personalised DVD that the child will be happy to watch would be of great help.
Empathise. Try and see the situation from your child’s point of view and this can give you some insight into their behaviour.
Do familiar things. If you can make sure you stick to your regular family routine. This will create a sense of normality at home and allow everyone to be more relaxed.
Manage your anxiety. Call on your support network for help. You need a break if you are the only one caring for a sick child, a break will allow you to increase your quality of care and not get burnt out in the process.

“They are less concerned with diet, medication usage or what they are doing wrong – though parents of younger children worry more.”

Perhaps unsurprisingly parents of children aged 6-12 are not as ‘extremely ’anxious”

Teething and very upset. Mummy cuddles are very helpful. Photo taken in a darken room due to sleeping baby. Yes did not want to wake him.

What are your thoughts on making a plan to be ready for sick kids? Well you are not planning on having sick kids, just how to deal with it.

I love the Buddy Bear videos and the bear is so magical to watch. You could sit for hours just being amazed at how cute and wonderful the bear is. Kids will love this as much as adults do. Give it a go, download and save some videos just in case you need them. Also check out the other online resources from Children’s Panadol.

Disclaimer: I went along to the media briefing about Children’s Panadol to learn ways parents can be less anxious and to hear about techniques that can help children when sick. I have had many times when the twins were ill, they then got me ill and now with a baby it will all happen again (Currently Alexander has a cold and is also teething. Joyousness it is not!). I think that the online resources that Children’s Panadol showcased are excellent, not only are they FREE, they are highly informative as well. Thanks to Children’s Panadol for the invite and allowing the kids and I to learn more about your online tools.