Time to lose the Mother Guilt. Our article on happy mums, happy kids aims to allay your fears that putting your child in child care could be anything but rewarding for all. Do you know how to treat a burn? How to stop a child from choking? It's time we all brushed up on First Aid. And finally if you love cakes and you want to do something to help those less fortunate than yourself, then take part in the Red Cross's Big Cake Bake Day on August 26th.

Mother Guilt will always be a major factor in any mother's return to work. It's a nightmare. You feel terrible. You beat yourself up for making the decision to leave your child. Are you going back too soon? Will it affect your child's confidence, development, happiness, trust… the list goes on.

Most mums get over this in a matter of weeks although of course you get thrown right back to the beginning on the odd day when your child is sick, tired or doesn't want to go to child care for any other reason.

And it's not just working mums who suffer. There are also many kids who go to child care part time to give mum a break and to get them used to being with other children, being in a different, more structured environment, learn social skills and routines. Many women struggle even more when they are at home and have dropped their kids in at child care.

NEWSFLASH. It's OK. Your child is OK. You deserve some time out and now a study in the USA says that day care might actually reduce the risk of emotional problems in some children. Well at least it might for children who are more at risk of developing emotional problems.
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Monday 26th August is officially Red Cross Big Cake Bake Day, when people all over Australia are encouraged to host an event to raise funds to help people less fortunate in Australia and overseas.

Celebrity supporters and ambassadors include Adriano Zumbo, Kate Richie, Maggie Beer, Alvin Quah, Adrian Richardson, Anna Gare, Eamon Sullivan, Poh, Sammy and Bella, and Chris Bath to bake the world a better place. For some baking inspiration, take a look at their favourite recipes.

All you need to do is to get together with colleagues, friends and family and bake your favourite cake, slice, pie, cupcake or dessert in aid of a good cause. Events can include a morning or afternoon tea, cake sale, baking competition or whatever kind of Big Cake Bake suits you.

To participate in Big Cake Bake, register online now and once you have joined, you will receive a host kit with all the tools you need to run a successful event, including an information booklet, donation box and posters to promote your event.

Donations raised from Big Cake Bake will support the everyday work of Red Cross, including programs and services to help some of the most vulnerable people in Australia and overseas.

For more information or support, please visit bigcakebake.org.au, call 1800 652 635, or email at bigcakebake@redcross.org.au

All manner of things can happen to children at home, from allergic reactions to asthma attacks, bites, stings, burns and convulsions. Would you know how to deal with them all?

For example when was the last time you did a first aid course? And would you know how to deal with the majority of household injuries, emergencies or accidents at home or at play?

Can you remember what to do and what not to do when dealing with injured or sick kids, such as never slap a choking child on the back if they are able to cough and always put the head forward not back for a nose bleed?

According to Kidsafe, the Australian not-for-profit organisation set up to help prevent injuries and deaths in children, about 350 children are killed each year and more than 60,000 are hospitalised as a direct result of accidents.
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