Autumn is well and truly here and we are (whisper it) gearing up for the festive season. But before we all go cray-cray for Christmas, here’s a look at some parental problem-solvers this November, tackling everyday family issues from allergies to stress.
Snack Attack
There are few things more stressful for a parent than a child with serious food allergies. And while it’s easier to keep a lid on allergens at home, steering clear of problem food becomes difficult at school, when parents can end up feeling a bit like the fun police. Enter Made Good Foods, whose school-safe organic granola minis and cereal bars are made in a facility kept 100 percent free of the eight most allergenic ingredients: peanuts, tree nuts, wheat, dairy, egg, soy, sesame, fish and shellfish. As an added sneaky bonus, each serving contains the equivalent of a portion of veggies, but come in deceptively kid-friendly flavours like banana and chocolate, apple and cinnamon, and strawberry, meaning they’ll actually get eaten, rather than swapped, at snack time.
Costs $9-$39. Available from Park N Shop, Wing On, Sogo, Green Common and Pacific Coffee outlets citywide.
Pure and Simple
Over-stimulated, over-scheduled and all-round stressed out: being a kid is no picnic these days. The upcoming Fun, Love, Joy Kids Yoga Workshop on November 19 at Pure Yoga’s Asia Standard Tower studio offers three-to-eight-year-olds the chance to stretch, move and unwind in a pressure-free setting. Led by Anjan Kundu, who himself has been practicing yoga since the age of six, the class takes littlies for a walk on the wild side, using yoga poses, song, dance and art to learn about the animal kingdom and stretch out tense little tiger feet.
Costs $360, or $288 if booked before November 7. Register at pure-yoga.com.
Doctor in the House
Renowned child psychologist Dr. Louise Porter will be joined by naturopathic physician Dr Benita Perch of IMI and Andrew Cox, Director of Training at Joint Dynamics on Tuesday November 22 in a not-to-be-missed event for anyone passionate about nutrition. Taking place at the Island Christian Academy on Bridges Street, Sheung Wan, This talk, part of the Mind, Mouth and Movement series, will investigate the role that nutrition and exercise plays in healthy childhood brain development, touching on how environmental toxicity, genetic predisposition and gut health can all affect and exacerbate certain health conditions. It will also offer practical advice on physical activity and workable solutions for children with specific health and behavioural concerns.
$715. Tickets available from eventbrite.hk.