Dear Clients and Colleagues

“Everyone knows that childhood is a developmental journey for children. Few realise that guiding, learning from and mentoring children is a developmental process for adults, a transformative practice every bit as demanding as found in any martial art, monastery or athletic training camp.”

Michael Mendizza, Magical Parent Magical Child

(North Atlantic Books, 2003)

By the end of each year we can’t wait for school holidays to give us a respite from the school lifts, rushing from one extramural activity to another, school plays, year end parties and all the things that make the treadmill move ever faster. And then, by the second last week of the holidays we can’t wait to get our children back into a “regular” routine again because they are becoming unplayable. Sound familliar?. Now that we have all been back at school for a month and are settling into new routines (it takes a while, especially if you have more than one child to accommodate in between your own stuff!) there is a feeling of having found a kind of rhythm. But, wait a minute, mid-term break is just around the corner (always a bit too soon in the first term, I feel) and after that winter sports start and the routine we have just got used to will change. My brain is fried before we even begin!

 We all thrive on routine vs chaos, especially childen. Routines provide a rhythm for the day that is predictable and makes our children feel more secure. Routines shouldn’t be too complicated – there is a time to wake up and a time to go to bed, a time to eat, a time to play, a time to do homework (once your child is at primary school) and a time to tidy up. Even the most hectic day is calmed by a regular routine. There is no finer example of this to me than a friend of mine who was widowed a few years ago and left with the challenge of raising his 3 year old daughter alone. He is doing a superb job as a single dad, one of the reasons being that his daughter’s routine has always been a priority, even under the most dire circumstances, resulting in a really well balanced and secure child.

In amongst our family routine (a framework within which there is a degree of flexibility and room for creativity) we need to surprise our children every now and again by doing something totally out of the ordinary or unexpected to keep them on their toes. I started the year off by doing a canopy tour with my husband and children – flying through Tstistikamma Forest on ziplines, 20 – 30m above ground level. It was a challenge to my senses considering that I have never been that good with heights so this was a bit of a stretch for me. I have to admit to having butterflies the first few times (actually it was a tingling, prickly feeling in my feet), but the look on the faces of my childen as they watched me was well worth being out of my comfort zone. Now, of course, they think they might get me to do the longer, higher version at Karkloof in KZN. We’ll see!

But surprising your children can be really simple and doesn’t have to be anything fancy or expensive. In fact, my kids get a real thrill – only very occassionally, mind you – when I dive into the swimming pool and wet my hair, or let them mess my hair up while we are watching TV!

What are you going to do to surprise your children this year?

I WILL BE VISITING KZN AND CAPE TOWN………………

I will be in KZN from 16 – 18 March. The 16th and 17th are fully booked with talks but I still have the morning slot open on the 18th. Please contact me asap if you would like to book this slot for your company or school, or if you would like to host a private function. I will be in Cape Town in April and am available for just one presentation, on the evening of 21 April. Please drop me a line if you are interested in making a booking. Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

TALKS AND WORKSHOPS

January and February are traditionally filled with lots of talks at schools. Please find below my schedule of public workshops for the next few months. Please note the booking details and click on the relevant email address.

Saturday, 21 February 2009 9 – 10.30am at Holy Rosary Convent EDENVALE

R100 per person, includes tea Bookings: Shelley Roe-Berning 082 564 7077 or shellrb@mweb.co.za

Future-proof Your Child© The world has changed. The future has changed. Childhood is changing. Raising children has never been more challenging – or potentially rewarding. Nikki Bush, creative parenting expert and author of the popular new book, Future-proof Your Child, explores what you need to know about tomorrow today, why you need to know this and what you need to do to prepare today’s children for a world that doesn’t yet exist. This talk is suitable for anyone involved in raising children, from parents to teachers, aunts, uncles, grandparents and even parents to be.

Monday, 9 March 2009 8.30 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON

R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Nuts & Bolts © workshop A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first six years of life in order to be ready for school. Parents are encouraged to put their own stamp on their child’s play experiences by using their imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! come prepared to play. 

Tuesday, 10 March 2009 9am – 12pm at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON

R350.00 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Big Kid Fun© workshop For all those parents (and grandparents) who have been asking “What next? What do we do with our children over the age of seven?” Big Kid Fun© is a workshop designed for families with 8 – 99 year olds who love to have fun. It is a very interactive workshop that will consist of a small amount of theory – the importance of play and staying connected with your children – and a lot of Big Kid Fun©. Yes, you will play a lot including some hilarious games you have never heard of! You will be reminded of all the fun to be had with a simple deck of cards and we will play some of my recommended family games. Big kids of all ages still wanna play and have fun. Join us for an entertaining and inspiring 3 hour workshop.

Wednesday, 11 March 2009 9am – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON

R300.00 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Future-proof Your Child AND Parenting on the Run (as a package) This is a great combination of talks – Future-proof Your Child is the scene-setter and Parenting on the Run is the practical application. Future-proof Your Child© (one hour talk) See above for details. Parenting on the Run© (one hour talk not the 2.5 hour workshop) Parents today are busy. Being able to parent creatively – on the run – makes your parenting journey easier and much more fun. In this talk, creative parenting expert and author, Nikki Bush, introduces the concept of cheating time and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary, helping parents to give away the guilt they so often feel.

She will show you how time spent in the car, doing household chores and activities or waiting for appointments, can be so valuable to both you and your child – it is never a waste of time! This insightful talk is peppered with personal anecdotes and provides dozens of practical and creative ideas to take home and try with your children.

Tuesday, 17 March 2009 7 – 8pm at Cowan House, HILTON, KZN

Bookings: Julie Hay 082 445 6764 julie@toptots.co.za

Future-proof Your Child© See details above.

Thursday, 7 May 2009 9 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON

R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Parenting on the Run© workshop (full 2.5 hour version) As above but including many more creative ideas and Nikki’s ever-popular suggestions for what toys and games to pack when travelling for extended periods or long distance.

Friday, 8 May 2009 8.30 – 11.30am at the Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, BRYANSTON

R300 per person, includes notes and tea Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Nuts & Bolts© workshop A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first six years of life in order to be ready for school. Parents are encouraged to put their own stamp on their child’s play experiences by using their imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! come prepared to play. 

14 – 17 May 2009 at the The Baby Expo, The Dome, NORTHGATE

Bookings: Watch the press for details.

Beyond the Nappy Bag© A brand new talk for moms who are moving into the next phase of their child’s development.

One last thought for the month:  When talking to your child try and make eye-contact as often as possible. With really small children it pays to physically get down to their level to really connect.

Keep on playing with your precious children!

NIKKI BUSH

The Bright Ideas Outfit

December 2008

Dear Clients & Colleagues 

Presence always trumps presents. More than any transient toy, your kids crave time and attention. So let them bask in your attention. (Joe Kelly, Dads and Daughters: How to inspire, understand and support Your Daughter When She’s Growing Up So Fast)

I won’t say too much in this newsletter because I think this brilliant quote above echoes the sentiment behind most of my work. When you pay attention to your children, when you make eye contact, when you really listen to them, when you get down and play a game with them without distraction and interruption, when you really want to get to know what makes them tick -that’s when you make your presence count.

I wish you all a peaceful festive season. I, for one, am going to enjoy some family time for the next few weeks after a very hectic final quarter of 2008. I look forward to meeting up with you all again at various talks and workshops in 2009. Thank you for your support, for your feedback about our book Future-proof Your Child and your responses to this newsletter. I can’t tell you how many responses I had to my query about bangers for Christmas crackers – it’s great to know that my newsletter is read!!!

IF YOU ARE IN JO’BURG AND YOU NEED SIGNED COPIES OF OUR BOOK, FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CHILD……………..

As I am closed until January, do pop in to Estoril Books in Fourways Mall where I recently signed a stack of books. Future-proof Your Child is proving to be extremely popular among parents and educators, and is being read by men and women alike.

IF YOU ARE OUTSIDE OF JO’BURG: Pop into to branches of Exclusive Books, Wordsworths and other independent books stores around the country. To order the books online, or to send to relatives elsewhere, visit :

www.kalahari.net

www.exclusives.co.za

www.loot.co.za

www.amazon.co.uk

THOMAS’ SHAPE STATION GAME IS AVAILABLE FOR CHRISTMAS

This super first shape and colour board game is now available in Toys R Us, ToyZone and other stores that stock Thomas the Tank Engine merchandise. It was developed by drama teacher Justine Heydra and myself and has been manufactured and distributed by Just Fun Toys. The artwork is beautiful and will satisfy any Thomas fan. The game stimulates visual discrimination and matching skills which are important foundations for reading and writing. Playing board games also teaches children to take turns as well as to win and lose. This game is perfect for 3 – 5 year olds and can be played with 2 – 4 players.

Cost is R199.00. Click here for pictures.

MORE GIFTING IDEAS

I am updating my website with recommended game and toy info at the moment so do visit for some ideas: www.brightideasoutfit.com. Click here for the latest update.

Keep on playing and connecting with your precious children! Make the most of the extra quality time you may have together over the holiday period.

NIKKI BUSH

November 2008

Dear Clients and Colleagues

When Graeme Codrington & I were interviewed about our book, Future-proof Your Child by Jenny Crys-Williams on Radio 702 two weeks ago, the conversation during one of the ad breaks turned to the fact that in an economic downturn we are forced to become more resourceful and Jenny used a lovely phrase – to become more rooted. This really resonated with me because it is exactly rootedness and resourcefulness that is the antidote to the materialism and the rampant consumerism that we have all become so accustomed to in recent years. And, perhaps, this will be the start of doing something to heal our threatened planet too. Whatever action we take or don’t take in the next while will be a shaping force on this generation of children and either the development of a mindset of sustainability and creative solutions-finding, or one of fear of lack and possible imminent disaster. Will you focus on the danger or the opportunity that is presenting itself through our shifting world?

Here are a few things you can do as families to become more rooted and resourceful this holiday season – make fun out of nothing!:

1. Make your own gift tags

Actually my 9-year old son and a friend were doodling around on the computer a few Saturday’s ago when they came to chat to me about a few ways they thought they could make a bit of money, like offering to walk people’s dogs, wash cars, etc. This conversation eventually culminated in a small business idea of making hand crafted gift tags at a fraction of the cost of bought ones, which their mothers, of course, will market through word of mouth. Their eyes were bright with enthusiasm and the possibility of making some money! In our busyness, we parents must now nurture this seed and ensure that this little business venture actually happens! Tthe idea here is to be resourceful and use up bits of cardboard and coloured paper, glue and paint that we already have on hand.

2. Wrap Christmas gifts in newsprint and decorate with stunning ribbons and bows and handmade gift tags

You’ve seen designers and interior decorators doing this in fancy magazines, now you can try it yourself, not just because it looks good, but because it saves money, trees and other resources too. And the littlies just love doing potato printing on plain white paper to create giftwrap.

3. Make your own Christmas Crackers

Get those empty toilet rolls back int use and make Christmas crackers with wrapping paper, newsprint and ribbons. Fill them with left over sweets from Halloween and and all the left over toys and giveaways from all the take-aways throughout the year (they were barely played with anyway!). Older children love joke books (I hate them) so put them to good use. Tthey can type out jokes to put into the crackers. The only thing I cannot tell you is where to find bangers. If anyone knows, please let me know. The idea here is to make the crackers together with your children.

4. Don’t by junk this Christmas – invest in good toy purchases

Yes, this is undeniably an advertisment for my annual presentation called Toy Talk, which aims to educate parents through a fun, stimulating and interactive presentation so that they can make wiser choices for their children when it comes to buying toys and games. There is a lot of junk out there – don’t waste your money. See below for more details.

ADD ANOTHER EMAIL ADDRESS TO YOUR ADDRESS BOOK

My October newsletter entitled Endings and Beginnings went out from a second email address which was not recognised by many of my corporate client’s servers. Please would you add this as a second email address for me so that the newsletters are not rejected: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

LAST CHANCE TO ATTEND TOY TALK 2008

Toy Talk on 12 November was a runaway success. If you still want a seat for one of the next three workshops, do book now to avoid disappointment. Toy Talk will help you make wiser toy and game choices for your children. Here is the synopsis: They’re everywhere from cheap Chinese junk, to Fischer Price, Barney, Barbie, High School Musical, Lego and Meccano, to battery operated winking, blinking noisy toys to solid educational toys, to Play Station, computers Gameboys and balls, jungle gyms, pots, pans and wooden spoons.

Do children need toys? What categories of toys are there? How do children learn? Why is play so important? What are the classic toys every child needs? What’s new on the market? Where do electronic toys fit in? How to select a toy, and more. Armed with a little bit of knowledge about toys and how children learn, this fun, interactive workshop will enable you to make better choices for your child and will make shopping for games and toys a piece of cake.

Toy Talk is a two hour workshop presented by creative parenting expert and author, Nikki Bush. She is also an educational game designer and a judge on the professional panel in South Africa’s Toy of the Year Awards. If you want to know what Nikki is recommending for her “classic collection” and her “what’s hot right now selection” of toys and games, book for Toy Talk 2008 now! Suitable for parents of children from birth to age 12.

DATE/ TIME/ VENUE/ COST

Wednesday, 12 November 2008 at  7.30 – 9.30pm, Bryanston Country Club R175.00 including tea, eats, notes and a goodie bag

Friday, 21 November 2008 at 9.30 – 11.30am, Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston

Saturday, 22 November 2008 at 9 – 11.00am, Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston 

Monday, 24 November 2008 at 9.30 – 11.30am, Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston 

BOOKINGS : nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za. Payment secures your seat.

SHOPPING : We have a limited selection of highly recommended games and toys on sale at the workshops (credit card facilities available). Come and get that Christmas shopping done while enjoying tea which includes our famous Scottish Flapjacks. A half an hour for shopping and tea has been factored in to the time allocation.

MORE INFO : www.brightideasoutfit.com

Regret no children as it is distracting for the other delegates.

TALKS AT SCHOOLS: I am already booked to speak at a number of schools in January, February and March 2009. Please do not leave bookings until the last minute. You need to contact me well ahead of time as Saturdays and evenings are at a premium.

BIG KID FUN WORKSHOPS

For those parents of 8 year olds plus who still want to squeeze this workshop in this year, Big Kid Fun takes place on 27 November in Dougalsdale. It will be half an hour longer than usual as I will incorporate what was relevant from Toy Talk 2008 just for this age band. This is a small workshop for only seven delegates.

Synopsis: Big Kid Fun©is for all those parents (and grandparents) who have been asking “What next? What do we do with our children over the age of seven?” Big Kid Fun© is a workshop designed for families with 8 – 99 year olds who love to have fun. It is a very interactive workshop that will consist of a small amount of theory – the importance of play and staying connected with your children – and a lot of Big Kid Fun©. Yes, you will play a lot including some hilarious games you have never heard of! You will be reminded of all the fun to be had with a simple deck of cards, and we will play our way through my selection top family games (classics and those that are hot right now). Big kids of all ages still wanna play and have fun.

Join us for an entertaining and inspiring 3 hour workshop. Of course notes and a delicious tea are included and you will be able to get all your Christmas shopping done at the same time.

DATE & TIME / VENUE / COST

Thursday, 27 November 2008 6.00 – 9.30pm Douglasdale

R300.00 per person Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za

Keep on playing and connecting with your precious children! Make the most of the extra quality time you may have together over the holiday period. NIKKI BUSH

Dear Clients and Colleagues

“Our children could not grow up into fine adults if there weren’t impermanence. We are on loan to each other for only a short while. We can never bathe twice in the same river, said the Greek philosopher Heraclitus, nor can we dip into this moment of our parenthood twice, no matter how beautiful the experience.”

Jane Bartlett, Parenting with Spirit (Rider, 2004).

Here we are entering the silly season again. Where has time gone? It feels like it was yesterday that we were at the beginning of another year filled with so many plans and promises, and now we are making preparations for its closing. But that’s life isn’t it? A series of beginnings and endings.

I was privileged to attend the grade 12 Valediction Service at my children’s school last night and I was deeply moved by the closing tradition. As each grade 12 learner left the auditorium, they got to ring the brass school bell one last time symbolising the closing of a chapter of their lives, then shook the headmaster’s hand and stepped out into their future. The way each young adult rung the bell was unique and very personal. I would love to have been able to hear what was going on in their hearts and minds. Regardless, I could sense the poignance of each ring of the bell and sat with a lump in my throat – and these were not my children!

My eldest son will start in the same college next year and the tradition is that each grade 8 will get to ring that same brass school bell to symbolise the beginning of their high school career. When Ryan handed me his examination timetable for grade 7 a few weeks ago tears blurred my vision as it dawned on me that his primary school years are almost over. Where has the time gone? In just a few weeks we will be sitting through his Valediction Service.

Whatever phase of parenthood you find yourselves in, don’t waste a minute. Be as “present” as possible, live each one of the joys and challenges that your children will bring you, dance with them like there is no tomorrow, and discover more about who you are through all the experiences your children will expose you to. Your children come but once in a lifetime.

I just loved the tradition of the bell ringing. You too, can use rituals and celebrations to create special family memories. What kind of family traditions do you use to celebrate life stages/phases or rights of passage. For some thoughts on the matter, do check out my book, Future-proof Your Child(Penguin, 2008). If you have ideas to share, drop me an email, I would love to hear about them.

FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CHILD BOOK LAUNCH ON 29 OCTOBER 2008

We had a very successful book launch at The Indaba Hotel last night with a super turnout of over 200 people. We were able to raise R8000.00 from the sale of the books for The Play with a Purpose Foundation. Many thanks to The Indaba Hotel for the venue and to Penguin for all their oganisation.  Click here for more pictures.

There is quite a lot of publicity around the book at the moment. If you missed me on TV3’s Lunchbox, or ETV Sunrise last week, you can catch Graeme and I on the Jenny Cryws-Williams’ show on 702 today at 2pm. I did a pre-recorded interview with Kelly Thorington on Classic FM which will also be aired at 2pm today. Future-proof Your Child is now on sale in Exclusive Books, Estoril Books and other good book stores. You can also order it online from Kalahari.net and Amazon.com.

TOY TALK 2008 IS HERE!

They’re everywhere from cheap Chinese junk, to Fischer Price, Barney, Barbie, High School Musical, Lego and Meccano, to battery operated winking, blinking noisy toys to solid educational toys, to Play Station, computers Gameboys and balls, jungle gyms, pots, pans and wooden spoons.

Do children need toys? What categories of toys are there? How do children learn? Why is play so important? What are the classic toys every child needs? What’s new on the market? Where do electronic toys fit in? How to select a toy, and more. Armed with a little bit of knowledge about toys and how children learn, this fun, interactive workshop will enable you to make better choices for your child and will make shopping for games and toys a piece of cake. T

oy Talk is a two hour workshop presented by creative parenting expert and author, Nikki Bush. She is also an educational game designer and a judge on the professional panel in South Africa’s Toy of the Year Awards. If you want to know what Nikki is recommending for her “classic collection” and her “what’s hot right now selection” of toys and games, book for Toy Talk 2008 now! Suitable for parents of children from birth to age 12.

DATE, TIME, VENUE, COST

Wednesday, 12 November 2008 7.30 – 9.30pm Bryanston Country Club R175.00 including tea, eats, notes and a goodie bag

Friday, 21 November 2008 9.30 – 11.30am Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston As above.

Saturday, 22 November 2008 9 – 11.00am Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston As above.

Monday, 24 November 2008 9.30 – 11.30am Miele Gallery of Fine Living, Peter Place, Bryanston As above.

BOOKINGS : nikki@brightideasoutfit.co.za. Payment secures your seat.

SHOPPING : We have a limited selection of highly recommended games and toys on sale at the workshops (credit card facilities available). Come and get that Christmas shopping done while enjoying tea which includes our famous Scottish Flapjacks. A half an hour for shopping and tea has been factored in to the time allocation.

MORE INFO : www.brightideasoutfit.com Regret no children as it is distracting for the other delegates.

TALKS AT SCHOOLS: I am already booked to speak at a number of schools in January, February and March 2009. Please do not leave bookings until the last minute. You need to contact me well ahead of time as Saturdays and evenings are at a premium.

BIG KID FUN WORKSHOPS

 For those parents of 8 year olds plus who still want to squeeze this workshop in this year, we will run two Big Kid Fun workshops on 18 November and 27 November in Dougalsdale. It will be half an hour longer than usual as I will incorporate what was relevant from Toy Talk 2008 just for this age band.

Big Kid Fun©is for all those parents (and grandparents) who have been asking “What next? What do we do with our children over the age of seven?” Big Kid Fun© is a workshop designed for families with 8 – 99 year olds who love to have fun. It is a very interactive workshop that will consist of a small amount of theory – the importance of play and staying connected with your children – and a lot of Big Kid Fun©. Yes, you will play a lot including some hilarious games you have never heard of! You will be reminded of all the fun to be had with a simple deck of cards, and we will play our way through my selection top family games (classics and those that are hot right now).

Big kids of all ages still wanna play and have fun. Join us for an entertaining and inspiring 3 hour workshop. Of course notes and a delicious tea are included and you will be able to get all your Christmas shopping done at the same time.

DATE & TIME VENUE COST

Tuesday, 18 November 2008 9am – 12.30pm Douglasdale R300.00 per person

Thursday, 27 November 2008 6.00 – 9.30pm Douglasdale R300.00 per person

Bookings: nikki@brightideasoutfit.com

Keep on playing and connecting with your precious children!

NIKKI BUSH

The Bright Ideas Outfit

August 2008

Dear Clients & Colleagues

“Because they have such a difficult time seeing any purpose for play in their own lives, adults also discount play as unimportant in children’s lives. Play is often subverted to meet teacher-parent needs for productivity.” Fred O Donaldson, Playing By Heart (1993)

The Big Kid Fun workshops have been a hit with parents of older children (8+) and we have had to lay on a few extras to cope with demand. We played up a storm and it was been a good reminder of the opportunity play provides for parents to press the pause or stop button. Taking time out to play a game with your kids is a good excuse to take a break from whatever you are doing. Play can be such a grounding experience, bringing us into the present moment and enabling us to forget about past and present for a while. This is what Parenting on the Run and Big Kid Fun delegates discover at the workshops.

The first of my new games for big kids, Indahoo and Sketch-a-Story were delivered over this period, and by the end of August you should be able to find them in most toy shops and chain stores nationally. We have stock so if you have difficulty finding them, just email us at . For more info about these fabulously fun games, click here.

In addition, much time has been spent wrapping up my book (co-authored with Dr Graeme Codrington) called Future-proof Your Child. It goes to print this week and will be launched by Penguin later this year in October!

I am looking forward to spending the last week of August running a series of workshops for schools and corporates in KZN. For info on these and the new Gauteng workshop dates, read further down this email.

Suffice to say that this has been a hectic few weeks and balancing deadlines and motherhood has had its challenges. We have had one or two emotional wobblies, especially the day my children missed their bus home from school! Thank goodness for friends who step into the breach! These busy times are actually the ones where a little play goes a long way, which was the lesson I got loudly and clearly. Fifteen minutes of bowling to my youngest son in the driveway before running a workshop one evening was proof of the profound effect of play. In just 15 minutes of having my full attention, Matthew’s emotional cup was full. For my eldest it was an hour in the shopping mall that filled his cup. Even though I really didn’t have the time for it, it was time well spent. And, in the middle of a frenetic day handling dozens of last minute details for my book, can you believe that I decided to bake a cake with Matthew and his friend Josh!? Insane or what? It was because it was exactly what they needed to anchor them (and me!) for the day. (Yes, you guessed it – I bake to ground myself and de-stress – my form of play.)

THE LESSON: when your children’s cups are full and not wanting, they are able to merrily go on their way and amuse and entertain themselves without constantly pestering, nagging or interrupting you. A little play does indeed go a long way! Even if you are really busy it may be just the perfect time to press that pause button and go and play with your kids.

FORTHCOMING TALKS & WORKSHOPS – GAUTENG

Bookings :

19 August 2008, Tuesday, 7.30pm Douglasdale, Parenting on the Run© talk

R120.00 per person. Suitable for parents of children from 2 – 7 years. Minimum of 20 people required for this workshop.

Come and learn how to cheat time in this interactive 1 hour workshop. Leave armed with over 50 creative and practical ideas for converting what you would normally consider wasted time with your children, into quality time. If you want the full 2 ½ hour version of this workshop, read further down.

4 September 2008 Thursday, 9 – 11.30am Douglasdale, Big Kid Fun© Workshop

R300 per person.  Suitable for parents of children from 8 years and up. Minimum of 7 people required for this workshop.

Big Kid Fun© is for all those parents (and grandparents) who have been asking “What next? What do we do with our children over the age of seven?” Big Kid Fun© is a workshop designed for families with 8 – 99 year olds who love to have fun. It is a very interactive workshop that will consist of a small amount of theory – the importance of play and staying connected with your children – and a lot of Big Kid Fun©. Yes, you will play a lot including some hilarious games you have never heard of! For more info click here.

6 September 2008 Saturday, 9.30am – 12.30pm Douglasdale, Big Kid Fun© Workshop R300 per person As above.

12 September 2008 Friday, 9am – 11.30pm Miele Gallery of Fine Living Peter Place, Bryanston, Parenting on the Run© Workshop

R250.00 per person. Suitable for parents of children from 2 – 7 years primarily, but all activities will still be of benefit in the later years too. Minimum of 25 people required for this workshop.

Come and learn how to cheat time in this interactive 2 ½ hour workshop. Leave armed with over 100 creative and practical ideas for converting what you would normally consider wasted time with your children, into quality time. Far more detailed than the one hour talk, and includes my ever-popular suggestions for what to pack when travelling. For more info click here.

27 September 2008 Saturday, 9.30am – 12pm Douglasdale/Bryanston TBC, Nuts & Bolts© Workshop

R250.00 per person. Suitable for parents of children from 2 – 5 years. Minimum of 9 people required for this workshop.

A fun, interactive workshop covering the specific perceptual skills your child needs to acquire within the first 6 years of life in order to be ready for school. Learn how to be creative with your classic educational toys such as: shape sorters and stackers, threading and pegging games, matching and association games, puzzles, gross motor equipment, construction toys, etc.

This workshop takes parents well beyond what’s in the instruction leaflets. Put your own stamp on your child’s play experiences by using your imagination, adding love letters, breaking the rules and combining games in order to create more games! Come prepared to play. For more info, click here.

TALKS AT SCHOOLS: Please do not leave bookings until the last minute. You need to contact me well ahead of time. From October 2007 I will have a new presentation available for schools called Future-proof Your Child. It is a one hour multimedia presentations that all 21st century parents need to experience. Click here for the full synopsis.

MY VISIT TO KWAZULU-NATAL

My Parenting on the Run© presentations at the National Bioproducts Institute and The Wykeham Collegiate are private functions, however, Cowie’s Hill Pre-Primary will be hosting two of my presentations on Wednesday, 27 August and visitors are welcome. Should you wish to attend please call (031) 702 3753 or email chpps@webstorm.co.za as soon as possible.

27 August 2008 Wednesday 2 – 3.30pm, Connect the Tots© Workshop

R80 per person Suitable for parents of 1 – 7 year olds.

A fun and interactive workshop about the importance of constructions toys. You will never look at a packet of Jelly Tots or a bag of building blocks in the same way again! Click here for more info.

27 August 2008 Wednesday 7 – 8.30pm Noise & Clutter© talk followed by discussion R80 per person Suitable for parents of children from birth to 12.

Today your children are literally born with a mouse in one hand and your wallet in the other! An eye-opening multimedia presentation for all parents about the backdrop to parenting and child development today – the noise of technology and the clutter of consumerism. Click here for more info.

GREAT FIND – FABULOUS LEGO TABLE!

Now here’s a find! If you have ever been looking for a perfectly sized table to permanently house your child’s Lego, train set, Scalectrix or any other toys that require a hard surface to build on, that is big enough, and one that they can leave their creative constructions on without cluttering up the floor surface in your home (oh, and then you can store all the pieces in the drawer underneath too, and the whole thing is on castors), then this is for you! Click here for a picture, dimensions and options. Contact Michelle at shimuweni@hotmail.com.

Keep on playing and connecting with your precious children!

NIKKI BUSH

The Bright Ideas Outfit

www.brightideasoutfit.com