Located in the heart of Boat Quay, sophisticated newcomer The Sampan is a refuge from the area’s many rowdy pubs and partygoers. With a prime location on the Singapore River, this hip, three storey restaurant and bar features unique Pan Asian cuisine from a young, passionate culinary team. We start with a round of bright, flavourful cocktails, including the smoldering Mango Chilli Smash ($17), easy drinking Hibiscus & Vanilla Margarita ($17) and a refreshing White Sangria ($17) They’re accompanied by crunchy, salty and slightly bitter Indonesian-style emping nut crackers. Our sharing appetisers includes Half Shell Japanese Scallops, with laksa leaf pesto ($15) Silken Egg Tofu with peanut sauce ($12) and Pot Sticker Dumplings ($12) The dumplings are the clear winner, with delicate lacey skin and spot on filling. The tangy Crispy Thai Beef Salad ($15) runs a close second.
There are plenty of tasty and affordable salads, noodle and rice dishes, but for mains we can’t go past the fresh Local Seabass, with soya sauce glaze and potato puree ($21), Charred Chicken, with mango sambal and steamed rice cake ($19) and the tender Beef Cheek Rendang, with grilled vegetables ($26)
Pot Sticker Dumplings
Dessert, if you have room, is Asian-inspired and light with pandan, palm sugar and mango notes. My pick is the Local Coconut Pudding with coffee tuille and charred bread ice cream ($13) but ask for the off-menu banana ice-cream which tastes like banoffee pie – heaven!
Verdict: A fun atmosphere, good pricing and delicious local flavours make The Sampan a great pick for riverside dining.
Smoke & Mirrors 1 St. Andrew’s Road, #06-01 National Gallery, 178957 smokeandmirrors.com.sg
Order up!
With over fourteen years of bar industry experience in Spain and London, and a background in graphic design, Jorge Conde is a guy you want fixing you a drink after a long day at the coalface. He’s the brains behind Smoke & Mirror’s inventive new cocktail menu, ‘Illusions of Flavours’, which includes creative and surprising twists on the classics. While the bar has one of the best views in Singapore, even the Marina Bay panorama can’t distract from Jorge’s flair and sense of theatre.
The menu is split into sections: Fizzy & Elegant, Sour & Neat, Long & Refreshing, Strong & Neat, Fruity & Punchy and Savoury & Umami. First up, Jorge prepares his version of the iconic Singapore Sling, Robbery at the Museum ($28). Served blush pink, it has notes of sour cherry, fermented pineapple, gin, herbs, and is topped with a fizzy foam. It’s a savoury, peppery and not too sweet starter. Next, we try the Le Paix 75 ($28) a twist on the classic French 75. This refreshing drink uses locally sourced fennel, gin, sparkling wine and the salty brine of a green olive garnish. We can’t leave without sipping the signature Smoke & Mirrors #4 ($28), this complex clear bronze cocktail blends strawberry and cacao-infused mezcal, milk vodka, bamboo charcoal, salt and pepper, and a salty strawberry powder. Served over a branded block of ice, it’s earthy, fruity and smoky. My personal favourite.
What’s to eat
There are plenty of grazing options here, from Chicken Yakitori ($16) to Salt and Pepper Calamari ($16), and Truffle Fries ($14) plus sharing options like the Australian Lamb Skewers ($28) and Grilled Beef Short Rib ($32) You can also munch on modern Chinese dishes from Yan restaurant, including crispy duck, pork belly and fried rice with crab meat.
Don’t miss
If you’re very lucky, you might be invited into Jorge’s on-site testing lab, where he preserves, infuses and distils various ingredients. The small space is crammed with equipment and bottles of unusual aromas and flavours, including pencil shavings, lemon balm, cilantro and fennel. Jorge also uses his artistic talents to sketch the drinks onto the walls!
What’s the end goal of swimming lessons?
“While not everyone can become an Olympic gold medallist, all children should be confident and safe in the water by the time they leave primary school,” says State Swim Operations Manager, Melisa Tay. “We believe that a strong and safe swimmer is someone who can swim 400m of freestyle confidently with good technique, this is what we offer in our 400-Gold program.”
What age is best to start swimming lessons?
“We start at four months old and I honestly believe the younger you start the better,” says Marsden Swim School coach Sam Jackson. “Swimming is a confidence sport and infancy is a great time to introduce them to water in a safe environment, before any anxiety has set in. A relaxed body is a buoyant body and a tense one sinks! Classes are a wonderful way to pick up the tools to take home and a fun environment for kids to build confidence together.”
Finding the right coach is crucial
Is swim squad a good idea for my developing swimmer?
“Once graduating from the 400-Gold program, our swimmers can then move into our squad program,” says Melisa. “It helps keeps children fit and active, whilst developing their technique. In Australia, we have over 1500 children per week enjoying our squad program, participating in time trials and inter school carnivals. It’s a fantastic step in encouraging kids to have fun with swimming and set personal goals.”
“At Marsden, we encourage competition from national level down,” adds Sam. “We compete in the fun Merlion League where everyone from first timers to the more seasoned swimmer can enjoy low pressure competition. It’s a wonderful motivator, but we encourage our kids to understand we all develop at different speeds. At the end of the day if they continue to set their own personal bests, they are winning.”
How can you encourage a reluctant swimmer to enjoy water?
“Don’t rush them,” says Sam. “Forcing a child underwater can be traumatic. Make it fun, smile lots, and keep encouraging. Our coaches are very patient and have always found taking it at the child’s pace is the fastest way to creating a confident swimmer. Be patient!”
What’s the key to water safety in Singapore?
“With so many unfenced pools in Singapore it’s so important our kids learn a respect for water, and we are extra careful monitoring them,” says Sam. “Right from the start we can teach kids to relax, float, and turn and swim back to the wall if need be. Even practicing climbing in and out of the pool is essential. Please watch your kids.”
What’s the secret to buying good googles?
“Find something that fits their smaller eye socket – kids should wear kids-appropriate shapes. Also, the reason goggles don’t last is that they’re worn far too tight. They need to cover the eyes, be comfortable, and a light push should ensure a seal!”
Tips for finding the right coach
• AUSTSWIM certified and continually updates their skills
• Enthusiastic, engaging and knowledgeable
• Understands all stages of development, from babies to competitive swimming
• Encourages kids to try their best in their lessons, without bribery or punishment
What makes ANZA Athletics a fantastic activity for kids? A focus on friendly competition, doing your best, lots of fun, and new friendships . . . all wrapped up in a welcoming, happy community. Register for the new season now!
Anyone can have a go
ANZA Athletics welcomes kids of all abilities, aged from 5-14. From experienced junior athletes to absolute beginners, everyone gets their chance to have a go on the track or field. Participating in ANZA Athletics helps kids build confidence, develop focus and teaches them to overcome challenges – independently and as a team.
Increased skills and fitness
Expect your child to come away from the season with a solid mix of skills and increased fitness, agility and strength. At the weekly meet athletes compete in track running, hurdles, discus, shot put, long jump, triple jump and high jump. During a six-week rotating program kids are exposed to all events – so they can learn new skills and build on them over successive weeks and seasons.
Fun and friendships
Joining a sports team gives kids a sense of belonging and the opportunity to make new friends. Kids from many schools across Singapore take part in ANZA Athletics, so new social connections are formed throughout the season. Fun is essential for kids’ sports, and at the track there’s a DJ spinning tunes for the kids to bop along to. Look out for more family fun at the new Toa Payoh stadium this season.
Life skills
Athletics isn’t just about who crosses the line first, jumps the highest or throws the furthest. It gives kids the opportunity to develop personally, socially and physically, and hone essential life skills, such as discipline, hard work, patience and persistence. Kids also learn how to respond positively to setbacks and failure and to respect authority.
Sense of achievement
Weekly ‘PB’ stickers reward improvement and are a chance for athletes to feel personal pride at their own individual efforts. At the end of the season kids are further rewarded with a presentation ceremony where the entire ANZA Athletics community can gather and celebrate the group’s achievements and progress.
Why I love ANZA Athletics:“I like ANZA Athletics because it’s great for my fitness and I’ve noticed that I’ve gotten faster. I love how I win things – especially beating my PBs (Personal Bests).” Xavier Brasher, 10
Registration for the 2019/2020 season is open now– don’t miss out and register early! There is always plenty of room for more wonderful volunteers to join the Committee, so if you are keen, please get in touch at athletics@anza.org.sg
ANZA Athletics caters to kids aged 5-14, with a focus on fun, fitness and skills. Tao Payoh Stadium. All meets will be held on Friday afternoons from 4.30pm to 6.45pm, starting from Friday 6 September 2019.
Volunteers are ANZA’s most valuable asset, working tirelessly to support our sporting, social and charity groups. We’re raising a glass and applauding our amazing volunteers and ANZA community at Celebrating ANZA on 25th September.
“Volunteers are the heartbeat of ANZA,” says ANZA President PJ Roberts. “Without them ANZA does not exist. This event is about celebrating volunteerism and the positive impact it has on the lives of our members.”
What do our volunteers say about the work they do for ANZA?
“As anyone who volunteers knows, the rewards you get are much richer than what you put in,” says Fleur Maidment from ANZA Tours, who with the rest of the tours committee, arranges interesting and culturally-rich experiences for our members – from charity walks to workshops and special tours which delve deeper into Singapore’s diverse society.
“There are many people who volunteer and do excellent work amongst all of the groups”, says Pat Taylor from Secret Men’s Business, an ANZA men’s social group who do a range of charity work for Melrose Home. “It’s a fantastic organisation – there is something in ANZA for everyone.”
“What I love about volunteering is that I’m surrounded by lots of special and interesting people that give their time and energy,” says Skye Wellington, who leads a huge team of volunteers at ANZA Singapore Nippers. “I get to see the best of humanity in action.”
What keeps Skye focused is echoed throughout our community. “Seeing smiles helps you stay the course and realise you’re part of something bigger that gives back to so many people.”
Here’s your opportunity to give our vollies a big thank you. Nominate your ANZA hero here and tell us why they’re doing us proud.
Angkor at dawn
The temples of Angkor Wat, are Siem Reap’s main attraction. Soak up the serene silence of early morning visit or hop on a bike tour or a tuk tuk any time of day to navigate the mesmerising ruins. A private guide can illuminate the history of the area and take you back to the days when the powerful Khmer empire ruled Cambodia. We opt for a 4am start, and blearily line up to grab temple passes (US$37) Kids under 12 are free, but bring their ID as they’ll check it at every entry. It’s a bumpy, but exhilarating rickshaw race through the dark to reach the majestic stone facade, illuminating with the gently rising sun. A hoard of photographers wait to capture the ruins reflected in an adjacent pond, but we quickly get lost among the countless narrow passageways, stairs and rooms. It’s easy to spend a few hours wandering this eerie, beautiful temple, steeped in history and tradition – but with kids it’s best to keep the tour moving along!
TIP: Make a small donation to one of the resident monks – they’ll bless your child and give them a woven bracelet.
Photo: Louise Walls
Other temple attractions
We’ve hired a local tuk tuk driver for the day (US$20) to show us around the main temples. He carries an eski with cold towels and water, so we can freshen up between dusty, hot explorations. Next, we venture into Angkor Thom city and visit the richly decorated Bayon Temple – a 12th century Buddhist shrine. Its 54 Gothic towers are decorated with 216 colossal, serene smiling faces of Avalokiteshvara, which makes for fun photo opps for kids with their own cameras. Across the road we watch (from a safe distance) a family of monkeys playing. There are three babies, who attract a crowd with their adorable antics. With the sun beating down, we opt to stroll briskly alongside the Elephant Terrace, then jump into our waiting tuk tuk for our last stop, Ta Prohm or Tomb Raider temple, (nicknamed for the locations it provided in the movies). Wrapped in huge tree roots, it’s easily the most atmospheric ruin at Angkor, and kids will love exploring its crumbling nooks and crannies. Scheduling temple touring in the earlier part of the day, means we escape the worst of the heat. We arrive back at the hotel, exhausted, by 10am, ready for a swim in our hotel’s gorgeous saltwater pool!
Detection dogs
We loved visiting the Explosive Detection Dogs (explosivedetectiondogs.org), a 10-minute tuk tuk ride from town. Visitors can stop by every day at either 8.30am or 4pm. During the hour-long show (tickets $7) visitors experience firsthand the incredible abilities of the Belgian Malinois breed, trained by dog experts to find unexploded landmines and bombs left over from war. We learn about the devastating legacy of landmines across South East Asia, then the dogs put on a show of their astounding sniffing skills, which help protect Cambodian lives. The organisation has worked with dogs in the field since 1992, expanding into 30 countries. During that time not a single dog has been seriously injured or killed.
TIP: Kids can participate in hiding the search items during the show, and afterwards pat and get their photo taken with the friendly dogs.
Cambodian cuisine
Cambodian food is similar to Vietnamese and Thai cuisines, but with subtle differences. You’ll find noodle soup similar to Vietnamese phở and sandwiches like bánh mì, refreshing salads and sour soups, Indian-inspired curries, noodles and stir fries. Our first meal is at Chanrey Tree (chanreytree.com), recommended by our friendly hotel staff for its delicious Khmer food and gorgeous riverside setting. We devour the minced chicken spring rolls, tender beef lok lok stir fry, eggplant with pork ribs, and sticky mango rice with longan and jackfruit. Servings are large – bring your appetite! Another excellent choice for families is il Forno, hidden down a lane, off Pub Street. Kids will approve of their authentic pizzas and fresh pastas (ilforno.restaurant/siem-reap). In the early evening Pub Street is family friendly and genuinely good fun. Wander around the local night markets and try one of the many ‘fried ice-cream’ stalls. The vendors pour your choice of flavours onto a freezing plate, and fashion the handmade ice-cream into delicate rolls. We went back for seconds for the Nutella and Oreo version!
TIP: Malis (malisrestaurant.com/siemreap) has very good 2-for-1 cocktails during happy hour at 5-7pm (plus free nibbles!) and they welcome kids with plenty of ‘mocktails’ on the menu.
Where to stay:
The Aviary Hotel (theaviaryhotel.com) has the perfect central location in the heart of Siem Reap town, super friendly staff, and a peaceful atmosphere. Kids will adore the bird-inspired design, chill out zones with books and comfy chairs, and the refreshing saltwater pool with wonderful views of the vines and flowers that drape over the balconies above. The 25 rooms are large and eco-friendly, with oversized balconies made for lounging. We opted for the Sarus Crane Suite, a sprawling 60sqm pad which has a large bedroom, a separate living room area, and a private balcony. There are plenty of dining options, including the laidback Flock Café. Don’t miss a family trip to the onsite Amret spa, where you can treat yourself to a relaxing massage after a long day of temple sightseeing.
TIP: The hotel is expanding and will soon feature a glam rooftop pool, a Japanese restaurant, and more gorgeous rooms!
Top 5 kid approved activities in Siem Reap:
1. Eco-adventurous families can zip line through lush jungle in the Angkor Archaeological Park. (angkorzipline.com)
2. Explore the regions rural heart with a visit to a working farming village – wander through rice fields, populated with buffalo and oxen and mingle with local communities.
3. Foodie families can dive
into the spicy culinary
scene with a cooking class or guided market tour.
4. Support Cambodia youth and watch incredible young performers at Phare,
the Cambodia Circus. (pharecircus.org)
5. Tweens and teens will enjoy shopping in trendy Kandal Village on Hap Guan St. You can grab a bite at one of the hip cafes or pick up funky Cambodian homewares, or jewellery.
Why did you want to set up The Whole Kitchen?
Anne is a certified health coach with a background in marketing and Susan is a classically trained chef with 20 years industry experience. We decided to bring our skills together to start our own brand. We make genuinely healthy food that’s gluten free, low in natural sugar, all natural and made locally…. and of course, delicious!
What are your top tips for planning healthy family meals?
Planning is key, as well as using good quality ingredients and a balance of flavours and colours. Shopping at reputable grocers and markets is important in Singapore, and it’s great to bring the kids along to touch and smell the exotic fruits and make choices about what they’d like to eat. We love shopping at Little Farms (littlefarms.com) for fresh seasonal produce, or our local wet market.
What are your go-to recipes?
Susan: Our house is busy throughout the week, so breakfast is an important time to check in with each other. We like healthy granola with fruits and yoghurt. Sunday nights is a family dinner where I mostly do the cooking. It can range from slow cooked meals like braised pork in milk with sage, to hearty vegetarian soups or a light Aussie style salad with coriander and mint – all shared around the table. We enjoy simple fresh fruits as a dessert.
Anne: Meals usually start with a good protein source like grilled salmon, homemade mince patties, frittata or quinoa, then we add colourful vegetables, zucchini noodles or a crunchy salad. We use a lot of garlic, ginger, turmeric and herbs for taste. On Sundays we like to roast a whole quality chicken with root vegetables.
What’s always in your pantry that kids love to eat?
Susan: My kids love The Whole Kitchen Rock Salt Rosemary Nut Mix and given they are half French and half Aussie they also love saucisson and cheese as a snack along with cucumber crudités.
Anne: Our 16-month-old loves to eat! His favourite snacks now are The Whole Kitchen Country Loaf with avocado, Greek yoghurt with fresh fruit or homemade muffins.
Tips for a healthy lunchbox?
It’s important for kids to keep their energy sustained throughout the day. Include snacks that contain healthy fats, good proteins and complex carbohydrates and avoid high sugar options. We love energy balls, trail mixes, seeds or tahini or hummus on brown rice crackers. Brain food!
How do you keep kids interested in food?
Susan: Start them young and let them explore even if it’s spicy. Travelling to different countries helps with this and opens kids up to so many amazing opportunities. We are very lucky here in Singapore also with the enormous range of foods to choose from. Go to Little India, or Chinatown and ask your kids to order what they want. Getting kids involved in the kitchen can also help form healthy habits and a passion for real food early in life!
ANZA Soccer’s girls’ teams excelled in the 2018-19 Season. MARK SAYER, ANZA Soccer Girls’ Programme Coordinator reports on their remarkable team spirit, enthusiasm and results.
During the 2018–19 season, ANZA Soccer had over 110 girls from ages 6-16
participate in girls-only teams against mixed and predominantly boys’ teams in the ANZA Saturday leagues. We fielded one Matildas team per age group, and the girls played one or two years “down” according to age and skill, following generally accepted soccer practice, to allow an even playing field against the boys.
The weekly participation at weekday training and Saturday games was very high, with every player continuing to improve due to passionate parent coaches, as well as the addition of Adelina Gomez, a dedicated professional coach for the Matildas. The younger Matildas are great to watch as their enthusiasm reminds me of my daughter when she joined five years ago – it’s all about having fun!
The Navy Matildas excelled by winning the U11 Saturday league, displaying great teamwork, a strong work ethic, and the ability to consistently execute their game structure. Opposition coaches often commented on how impressed they were with the Matildas’ disciplined team approach, rather than the “flock to the ball” approach of many young players.
Competitions
Bangkok International
The Matildas competition teams had a stellar year, with almost every tournament resulting in gold. In January, our U12, U14, and U16 teams competed in the Bangkok International Girls Football Competition, a 7-a-side event with 8 to 12 teams per age group. The U14s (Navy & Gold Matildas) defended their title, winning a very tough final against the Bangkok-based Nongchok Tigers. After a 1-1 draw at full time, the Matildas scored in the 3-versus-3 sudden death finale, a brutal and exhausting way to decide the championship! Both the U16s (SkyBlue Matildas) and U12s (Navy & Red Matildas) were semifinalists. The 30 girls and their parents provided great support for each other, and the players’ behavior on and off the pitch was exemplary. Their team comradery was shown when one of the U14 girls suffered concussion on the Saturday due to a head-on-head collision. Returning from hospital that evening, she found her shared hotel room filled with gifts, cards, and balloons, all at the girls’ initiative, as they rushed to the mall after the last round-robin game. They “won for Kim” the next day.
JSSL International 7s
In April, the largest junior football tournament in Southeast Asia, the JSSL International 7s was held in Singapore. In addition to the fantastic U14 and U16 Matildas’ wins, victories for our U12 and U16 boys’ teams enabled ANZA to win the overall Paul Parker Trophy. The U16 Matildas also competed in the tournament’s Professional 7s and made their opponents from Liverpool’s youth academy work hard for their closely fought win. The JSSL Girls Sunday League was held throughout the season. Our girls’ competition teams played against other Singapore-based teams, and the season ended with a resounding victory for our U14s, a come-from-behind victory for the U12s in their final match, and a second-place finish for the U16s.
SingaCup Womens 6s
Finally, the SingaCup Womens 6s was held in May, and once again our U14s were victorious, as were our U16s, while our U12s lost in a penalty shootout in the final. Playing against mixed teams on Saturdays prepares the Matildas well for girls-only competitions by honing their game plans, their resilience, and their team spirit. This unity amongst the girls and their parents is unparalleled and is a key determinant in our success.
Players Wanted!
Registration is now open for ANZA Soccer 2019/2020 season for kids aged 3-18 years.
The season begins on 24 August and finishes 25 April 2020.
Ditch the balloons
According to Australia’s CSIRO, balloons are one of the top three most harmful pollutants threatening marine wildlife. Foil balloons are even worse than latex as they take much longer to biodegrade. The good news is, there are plenty of alternatives.
Emma Robertson Chia of eco-friendly party creators Hopping Hares Parties (facebook.com/hoppingharesparties) suggests colourful pompoms, tassels or fabric bunting to create a festive look. “Use old clothing or scraps of material you have at home to make bunting. If you are not creatively inclined get your kids to cut out the triangles and then take it to a seamstress (below HDBs) to have made up for you. It’s cheap and you employ someone locally.” Short on time or don’t have old fabric lying around? There are local shops that sell fabric bunting (givefun.com.sg, partyday.com.sg). These can be reused many times.
Add style to your setting
There’s no need to set the table with plastic. Colourful fabric tablecloths and napkins are gorgeous and reusable. Borrow from friends, or try IKEA, Spotlight, or one of the many fabric shops in Chinatown or Arab St. Anything you buy can be reused for future parties and lent out to your pals for their event. For extra colour, turn to nature: flowers and leaves make eye-catching table centrepieces.
Rent or DIY
For a Pinterest-worthy deco scheme, rent a backdrop from one of Singapore’s many creative party stylists: upscale party planners Stitchxmarker hand-make their stunning party decorations, which are available to rent at stitchxmarker.com. Sprinkie Parties also have backdrops and props available to rent at reasonable prices: sprinkieparties.com. Want something unique? Emma recommends creating it yourself. “Consider making something out of cardboard. It’s fun to make, effective and biodegradable.”
Servingware
Disposable plastic servingware is a definite case of convenience over sustainability. The best option is to use your existing plates and cutlery or borrow from friends. For those concerned about breakages or clean-up, there are several eco-friendly disposable options. Emma suggests the palm leaf plates and cutlery from Naturerustic (naturerustic.com) or The Eco Statement theecostatement.com, available on Redmart. At $3 for a pack of 10 forks, and $5 for 10 plates, it’s only slightly more expensive than throw-away plastic and they are biodegradable. Swap juice boxes and plastic water bottlers for reusable jugs or pitchers. “Fill jugs with tap water and add slices of fruit like lemons or berries for a little flavour,” suggests Emma. Have clearly labelled recycling bins at the party venue. “Whatever waste you do produce, sort for recycling and consider composting.”
Food
If you really want to lower the environmental impact of your parties, consider serving some vegetarian or vegan food. “Animals for meat and cheese production are the single largest contributors to global warming, ocean acidification, fresh water pollution and deforestation,” Emma points out. Go for fruit or vegetable skewers, platters with cut veggies, and dips like hummus and guacamole. “If you want more traditional fare try vegan nuggets by Quorn, Fry’s or Marks & Spencer. I swear you can’t tell the difference!”
Serving finger food also reduces the amount of plates and cutlery needed. If you are culinarily challenged, caterers Lush Platters (lushplatters.com) offer a variety of mouth-watering grazing platters presented with minimal packaging. Have some reusable containers on hand for guests to take leftovers home.
Goody bags
The dreaded ‘goody bag’ or take-home present usually involves plastic toys that break or get tossed aside. Emma suggests doing a craft activity to give the kids a keepsake to bring home. She threw a Viking party where children painted their own cardboard Viking shield, and a sleepover party where kids customised their own dreamcatchers. Other easy options are customising a T-shirt or bag, making a mask or jewellery.
Get the birthday child involved in making some presents for their friends. Some ideas include homemade playdoh, or rainbow popcorn. For last-minute gifts, check out eco-friendly stores like facebook.com/UnPackt.SG/ or thefirstgreenstore.com/ for sustainable gifts like plantable pencils.
Use recyclable containers to present them in, like jars tied with ribbon. “For smaller presents, toilet rolls make excellent wrapping,” Emma suggests. For alternatives to traditional wrapping paper or gift bags try cloth bags or get the kids to create some artwork on recycled paper.
These small steps will go a long way to reducing the waste but maximising the fun produced at your next kids party.
What causes the mood changes in my pre-teen/teenager?
Though our hormones are commonly blamed for the ups and downs of adolescence, the changes in teenagers are primarily because of changes in the brain. Between 12-24 years, the brain is developing faster than ever before, and the last area to be fully developed is the frontal lobe, which is important for impulse control and decision making. Until it’s fully developed, teenagers rely on the part of the brain associated with emotion, impulse, aggression and instinct, called the amygdala, to make decisions.
How common is depression in adolescence?
Because of these changes, depression is adolescence can be a problem and we need to talk about it. Between 10-15% of teenagers have some symptoms of depression at any given time.
What are some signs my child has depression?
Temperamental teens are common, and moodiness and excessive sleeping
do not necessarily mean depression. The following are some signs that your child may be depressed, and you should seek help:
– Sad or irritable for most of the day, for most days in the last two weeks.
– Loss of interest in things that they usually enjoyed.
– Change in eating or sleeping habits
– Unexplained aches and pains.
– Little energy or motivation to do anything.
– Feelings of hopelessness about the future or feeling worthless or guilty about things that are not their fault.
– Changes in grades and academics.
– Smartphone addiction (chronic smartphone use that can distract from participating in daily activities).
– Any thoughts or discussion of suicide or self-harm.
What can my paediatrician or doctor do to help?
It’s recommended that all teens be screened for depression yearly. If you are worried about depression in your teenager, schedule a visit to your family doctor that is dedicated to discussing mood and depression.
Treatment options can vary, depending on the severity of your teen’s symptoms. Be assured that any evaluation and treatment by a GP is kept confidential. For example, IMC has a strict code of conduct in relation to patient confidentiality.
How can we get through these next difficult years?
Parents of teens should practice patience and provide guidance during these exciting, but sometimes tumultuous years. It’s important to build empathy and validate your teen’s emotions without trying to always problem solve. Continuing to support kids to eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, limit screen time and get daily physical activity can all have a positive effect on mood.
Remember that a parent’s influence runs deeper than you think. Enjoy time together with your teenager doing simple tasks, such as going for a walk, cooking a meal or watching a movie. Making time to do simple things with your young adult will leave the door open for conversations that may be difficult and can make more of a difference than you can imagine.
In crisis? Need support?
Please contact (free and confidential) Samaritans of Singapore 24 hour hotline on 1800-221-4444 or via email pat@sos.org.sg. SOS provides emotional support and guidance from trained volunteers. sos.org.sg
Dr Arti Jaiswal from IMC Paediatric
Talking Teens
IMC will be hosting a Talking Teens seminar aimed at parents of teens. The event will cover physical, sexual and mental health. Date: Friday 27 Sept, 10-11.30am at Camden Medical Centre. For tickets visit imc-healthcare.com
