Why experts say Peppa Pig is a danger for kids

AT the tender age of one, young Sophie-Rose sure knows how to make a party entrance.

The niece of former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer (the daughter of his sister Fatima Elkheir) was carried into her first birthday party on the weekend by her parents, and was accompanied by four drummers.

And what a party it was. The Daily Mail estimates that the soiree cost between $8000 and $10,000. Party planner Zena Zaidi from Elegant Tea Time said there was “no budget” for the party and it featured a balloon and flower wall (naturally), a five-tier birthday cake by Holy Suga with a single candle on top, and a fruit cart. There was also a dessert table with

100 different desserts provided by Sweet Treats by Alanna.

The tiara-topped cake surrounded by various desserts in front of the balloon wall.Source:Instagram

Just in case Sophie-Rose was in any doubt that she is a princess, tiaras were sprinkled throughout the decorations, including one on the top of the cake, and one perched at a jaunty angle on the birthday girl’s head:

While the birthday girl was dressed in a tutu and fairy wings, mum Fatima was dressed in an outfit fit for a bride, in an off-the-shoulder white lace gown with studded stilettos.

All set up for the party.Source:Instagram

If you think the event has a similar vibe to the birthday party Terry Biviano recently threw for her daughter, you’re correct. We thought that cake cart looked familiar ...

It’s hard to tell whether Salim was in attendance at his niece’s birthday party. He’s usually quite active on social media, posting photos from family events, but on Thursday at 4.16am Salim posted this rather cryptic update on Facebook:

Salim’s Facebook post.Source:Facebook

And now his Facebook page seems to have been killed, leading to an error message.

The Mehajer family is no stranger to lavish parties.

Fatima and Jamal’s wedding in 2013 certainly wasn’t a low-key affair if the video is anything to go by ...

Jamal & Fatima - Same Day Edit by DVI, Mob: 0414 892 194 from Digital Video Images on Vimeo.

... Fatima and Salim’s sister Khadijeh ‘Kat’ Mehajer had a lavish bridal shower last month that included four outfit changes ...

Salim Mehajer's sister Kat (in the black top) with friends at her bridal shower. Picture: Facebook/Sahar MohaiaSource:Facebook

... And let’s not forget Salim’s wedding (that involved helicopters, 35 cars, 45 bikes, 40 drummers, eight groomsmen, eight bridesmaids a seaplane and a jet) and his wife Aysha’s $50,000 30th birthday party that rapper Tyga was flown in for:

Tyga, Omarion and entourage visit Salim Mehajer's home in the lead up to wife Aysha’s 30th birthday party. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

IT’S been six years since commercial TV networks stopped broadcasting on analog and the nation started taking full advantage of the content on their digital channels.

Ten, in particular had success with Eleven, which launched in 2011. And a huge part of that was their decision to shift Neighbours from the main channel in order to underpin Eleven’s programming roster.

For years, the long-running soap dominated the digital ratings, but recentlyNeighbours has been deposed — and it’s having a huge impact on Aussie families.

Peppa Pig,Shaun The Sheep, Ben and Holly’s Little Kingdom and other ABC2 shows now regularly top the daily digital ratings, at times far outstripping what is on the main channels for Nine, Seven and Ten.

Shaun The Sheep leads the pack in the digital ratings race. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

And given their target audience is tiny — both in stature and numbers — the fact these kids programs rival Today and Sunrise when it comes to eyeballs tuning in is raising alarm bells.

“A lot of parents feel that those (ABC2) programs are beneficial to the children,” parenting expert Dr Karen Phillip said.

“But by beneficial you don’t know if they mean education or childminding. To me, it’s more childminding.”

The fact our children are so engaged with screens has led to not just the inability to use their imagination, but has even been linked to a lack of empathy development added Dr Phillip.

“Kids are losing the capability of developing skills in empathy and reading other people’s body language because they’re so not in tune with it anymore,” she said.

“Even with their friends, they’ll play next to them on an iPad but not with them.

“They’re sitting in front of a screen and being entertained externally and continuously. Even four and five year olds are losing the ability to come up with new games, new concepts and new ideas because they’re so used to being entertained by an external source.”

Small screen stars Ben and Holly from Ben & Holly's Little Kingdom. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Media analyst Steve Allen is unsurprised by the ratings success of ABC2.

Roughly ten years ago, the free to air networks had strict guidelines set in place around their children’s content. As such, many of the shows aimed at that audience became commercially unviable. And given the same rules don’t apply to Foxtel — meaning many parents made the switch to their kids’ channels — it was only the ABC who continued to create original content.

“Parents think that there is trusted content there and that they’re not going to get pester power from it so they’re very happy to encourage the screen being the childminder,” said Allen.

They also have another surprising card up their sleeve.

Continuous viewing is not ideal for your child’s development, warns Dr Karen Phillip. Picture: Supplied.Source:News Limited

“Kids aren’t like young adults — and even older adults — who want to resist appointment viewing and want programs that are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” said Allen.

“Kids are no longer resisting appointment viewing. They get home from school or from playing outside and they’re very happy that their favourite program comes on — whether it’s at 3.30 in the afternoon or 7.30 in the morning.”

But while the effects of too much of that appointment TV can be negative, Dr Phillip said that there are ways to turn it to your benefit.

“If parents interact with them during a show or if they want to watch, say Peppa Pigand they’re doing the singing and dancing and interacting, that’s completely different,” she said.

“We just (also) need to make sure that we provide the opportunity for children to engage in their own play.”

Resource: news.com.au

Salim Mehajer’s sister throws $10,000 princess birthday party for daughter’s first birthday

AT the tender age of one, young Sophie-Rose sure knows how to make a party entrance.

The niece of former Auburn deputy mayor Salim Mehajer (the daughter of his sister Fatima Elkheir) was carried into her first birthday party on the weekend by her parents, and was accompanied by four drummers.

And what a party it was. The Daily Mail estimates that the soiree cost between $8000 and $10,000. Party planner Zena Zaidi from Elegant Tea Time said there was “no budget” for the party and it featured a balloon and flower wall (naturally), a five-tier birthday cake by Holy Suga with a single candle on top, and a fruit cart. There was also a dessert table with

100 different desserts provided by Sweet Treats by Alanna.

The tiara-topped cake surrounded by various desserts in front of the balloon wall.Source:Instagram

Just in case Sophie-Rose was in any doubt that she is a princess, tiaras were sprinkled throughout the decorations, including one on the top of the cake, and one perched at a jaunty angle on the birthday girl’s head:

While the birthday girl was dressed in a tutu and fairy wings, mum Fatima was dressed in an outfit fit for a bride, in an off-the-shoulder white lace gown with studded stilettos.

All set up for the party.Source:Instagram

If you think the event has a similar vibe to the birthday party Terry Biviano recently threw for her daughter, you’re correct. We thought that cake cart looked familiar ...

It’s hard to tell whether Salim was in attendance at his niece’s birthday party. He’s usually quite active on social media, posting photos from family events, but on Thursday at 4.16am Salim posted this rather cryptic update on Facebook:

Salim’s Facebook post.Source:Facebook

And now his Facebook page seems to have been killed, leading to an error message.

The Mehajer family is no stranger to lavish parties.

Fatima and Jamal’s wedding in 2013 certainly wasn’t a low-key affair if the video is anything to go by ...

Jamal & Fatima - Same Day Edit by DVI, Mob: 0414 892 194 from Digital Video Images on Vimeo.

... Fatima and Salim’s sister Khadijeh ‘Kat’ Mehajer had a lavish bridal shower last month that included four outfit changes ...

Salim Mehajer's sister Kat (in the black top) with friends at her bridal shower. Picture: Facebook/Sahar MohaiaSource:Facebook

... And let’s not forget Salim’s wedding (that involved helicopters, 35 cars, 45 bikes, 40 drummers, eight groomsmen, eight bridesmaids a seaplane and a jet) and his wife Aysha’s $50,000 30th birthday party that rapper Tyga was flown in for:

Tyga, Omarion and entourage visit Salim Mehajer's home in the lead up to wife Aysha’s 30th birthday party. Picture: FacebookSource:Facebook

Resource: news.com.au

Father of one punch victim explains why he will never have justice

IT WAS an attack that lasted just six seconds, and left aspiring law student Joshua Hardy dead and a family devastated.

In the early hours of October 18, 2014, Kyle Zandipour flung 21-year-old Joshua to the ground outside of a St Kilda McDonald’s, and repeatedly kicked him in the head. Mr Hardy died in hospital just one hour after being attacked.

Darwin man Joshua Hardy was killed in a brutal unprovoked street bashing outside a fast food restaurant in Melbourne in 2014. His killer, Kyle Zandipour was out behind bars for 16 years.Source:Supplied

Queensland father Paul Stanley understands better than anyone the heartbreak caused by a violent “moment of madness”.

In 2006, Mr Stanley had to switch off the life support of his 15-year-old son Matthew after he was bashed outside a teenager’s party in Alexandra Hills, east of Brisbane.

It’s a pain that no one can explain, and anyone who hasn’t been in his position will ever understand.

“You never feel closure, the only people who talk about closure are people who haven’t ever gone through something like this,” he told news.com.au.

“I can go to Matthew’s grave and put flowers there and talk to him, but it doesn’t make me feel any better and it doesn’t bring him back.”

When will the one punch attacks stop in our streets? Picture: Darren England.Source:News Limited

For the past 10 years, Mr Hardy has phoned, door knocked, lobbied and begged the government to do something about the issue of youth violence on our streets.

In April this year, his campaigning was acknowledged. Queensland education minister Kate Jones announced a One Punch Can Kill initiative that will allow Mr Stanley to tell the story of his tragic loss to Year 12 students in every state high school across Queensland.

His son Matthew received just a single punch to the head when he fell to the ground. Smashing his skull on the concrete, his attacker kicked him in the abdomen and another man poured beer over him.

“He punched Matthew. The boys said the way Matthew crumpled, he was probably unconscious before he hit the ground,” Mr Stanley told The Australian.

“His head hit the concrete and this guy then started to kick Matty in the body and the head. He then knee-dropped his 105 kilos onto Matty’s chest.

“He backhanded Matthew a couple of times, then he got up and kicked Matthew one more time in the head. He then poured beer over Matthew and called him a coward for not getting up and fighting.

“He then went away to another party, where he was arrested.”

Kyle Zandipour leaves the Supreme Court in Melbourne. Picture: AAP Image/Julian Smith.Source:AAP

The then 16-year-old teenager behind his son’s brutal killing received two and a half years behind bars for manslaughter.

“There’s no such word as justice with this, none whatsoever,” he said.

Speaking of Mr Hardy’s tragic death, and the 16-year sentence his killer Zandipour received on Tuesday at the Melbourne Supreme Court - Mr Stanley said “it’s just not enough”.

“I want to see these people off the streets and away from us,” he said

“I want them away so we don’t need be worried about being attacked, which is why they should be put away for longer.

Zandipour will be out of prison well and truly before his 50th birthday. Justice Karin Emerton described his attack on Joshua as a senseless unprovoked attack.

“I doubt you properly understand why you attacked Mr Hardy in the way you did. Your conduct was utterly senseless,” she told Zandipour.

“Your actions involved a moment of madness, six seconds of madness to be precise.”

Paul Stanley, father of Matthew Stanley, who was fatally punched aged 15 in 2006, now works for the Matthew Stanley Foundation, regularly speaks to school students about the death of his son.Source:News Limited

Mr Stanley said the pain and heartbreak felt by a family who lose a loved one to a single punch or drunken violence is never ending.

“I just feel so sorry for his [Joshua Hardy’s] family,” Mr Stanley said.

“Sixteen years’ jail is no justice. The person whose life was taken never comes back.”

Spending the last 10 years talking to hundreds of schools, detention centres and police stations about how a single punch can kill a person and a family at the same time, Mr Stanley believes there is a change forming in the “young ones” who have heard his story.

Matthew Stanley, who was killed in a one punch attack in 2006. Picture: suppliedSource:News Corp Australia

“I could have dug a hole and jumped into it and put the dirt over my head and Matthew would have just been that kid who got bashed to death at a party and nobody would have got any good out of it,” he told The Australian.

“But education is the answer to it all.

“If we can get more dollars towards people who can talk to the young kids about personal experiences, the better,” he added.

“The personal story of Matthew helps, because nobody takes in the paper. They read it and then wrap fish n chips in it.

“Kids who hear me talk about what happened to Matthew think and talk about it again. It means Matt’s life hasn’t been wasted.”

Paul Stanley started the Matthew Stanley Foundation to end youth violence. He talks to schools and different groups about lobbying change, and what impact a single punch can have on a person and their family.

“I’ll rattle anyone’s chain, because I don’t want to see anyone else’s kid lying in a pool of blood,” he said.

Resource: news.com.au

How can we justify drinking so much?

CHRONIC disease and injury caused by alcohol causes 15 deaths and 430 hospitalisations each day in Australia.

This alone should give us pause for thought about our much celebrated drinking culture. But apparently it’s not.

I remember very clearly a night many, many years ago when I went to meet a friend for dinner. I had just come out of a clinic where I had been dealing with a certain fondness for barbiturates. An over anxious personality coupled with a very rocky adolescence and some deep seated “issues” had led me to rely on the oblivion that only swallowing a pill (or two) could provide. But now I was drug free and out in the real world using the coping skills that therapy had provided.

The waiter came over and asked if I would like a glass of wine while I was waiting for my friend to arrive. It struck me how easy that seemed. No doctor shopping, no sneaking, no begging the doctor to see how badly you needed a repeat of that script — you could just order wine in full view of everybody and maybe you could even get some of the effects the valium had delivered. Clearly while I was drug free I wasn’t quite cured of my desire to escape.

Why is it that wine is socially acceptable, but pharmaceuticals are not?Source:Supplied

But I have never been a drinker, not even after that night. Sure I sometimes have a glass of wine or a cocktail if I go out for dinner, but not every time. If I cared to count the numbers of drinks I consume in a year I don’t think I would need to take off my shoes to use my toes.

Even though my husband drinks a “normal” amount — a whiskey after a bad day at work, a beer or two with his mates and the very common social drink, it still amazes me that this kind of drinking is accepted as such a normal part of life.

Imagine I just got to pop a pill every time I came home from work, or went out, or wanted to relax or de-stress. Imagine I popped an extra one to celebrate or even to commiserate.

Even though I would be far more sedate (and some would argue, amiable) I’m told that altering my state of mind via pharmaceuticals is not OK.

But drinking in accepted part of our culture that we don’t question because hey, it’s normal — everyone drinks, it’s just who we are.

Perhaps it is only now that my child is a teenager and the talk of alcohol is bubbling from a whisper to a huge roaring shout that I’m more aware of how entrenched this drinking culture is. And it’s not just the stereotypical rowdy teens at a party, or the fans watching sport. Not just the after work drinks to delineate the cut off between work and play or the social get-togethers.

Last week five recent cases of mothers caught driving under the influence with their children in the car were reported. Indeed last year one mum confessed to drinking seven glasses of wine before getting in the car to pick up her kids from school. And while I am horrified at the thought of her driving anywhere near my son’s school I am not that surprised.

There is a growing trend on social media through the use of viral memes, to laugh at how much mothers drink. We use motherhood as an excuse to drink, giving the message that it’s normal — it’s just what mums do.

There are so many mum wine memes out there.Source:Supplied

The 5pm glass of wine is the Holy Grail, it’s what we are all meant to hang on to during the day as we trudge through the banality of raising small children, as we mediate fights and tantrums and pick up tossed items of clothing. Soon it will be over and we can drink.

Wine memes.Source:Supplied

Somewhere it is 5pm and surely that means it’s time to self medicate. We’ve survived the day — now we get to celebrate with a drink.

But I am raising a teen and I want to challenge that.

Wine memes.Source:Supplied

I can try my best to keep him away from underage drinking, I can explain what happens to his young brain when it is affected by alcohol and I can keep him away from the pub. But, just as importantly, I want to keep him away from the constant messages that alcohol is the way to unwind, that alcohol decreases stress and that any small win, even just getting to the end of the day, means being rewarded with a drink.

Drinking means that 15 deaths and 430 hospitalisations occur each day in Australia. That doesn’t sound like a lot of fun to me.

Resource: news.com.au