Family affairs with Susan Hetherington

Studies across the world are showing that not only are kids staying at home longer but they are likely to return after you've got rid of them. The Australian Institute of Health and Welfare this week found that one million young adults aged 18-34 are still living in the family home. One in ten children or 665,000 over 25 are at home 25, up from 7 per cent in four years. Recently released US Census figures show the same thing. The percentage of men age 25 to 34 living in the home of their parents rose from 14 percent in 2005 to 19 percent in 2011 and from 8 percent to 10 percent over the same period for women. Many of those who have left are coming back - a phenomenon known as boomerang kids. This is now such an issue that US that home builders are now adding ranges of multigenerational homes with separate entrances etc (sort of granny flat only for adult children). There is also a website for dealing with adult children living at home with a set of "rules" or guidelines you might consider.

When I grow up I want to be...

A sports star. Almost one in four Aussie kids (23%) wants to be a sports star when they grow up, and more than a third (36%) would spend a free day playing sport or other physical activity. ChildFund Alliance surveyed 4,600 children aged 10-12 from 44 countries around the world. The story is very different in developing countries where children would prefer to be teachers (23%) or doctors (20%), and one in four (25%) say they would spend a free day helping their family by doing housework, farmwork or other chores. The results show that Aussie kids place huge importance on sports and have much more freedom and opportunity to play than children in developing countries.

Bright from birth

Leaving two years between children improves the older child's school results, according to a new US study. Academics from Notre Dame University in Indiana have found that children who were born at least two years before their younger sibling achieved higher grades in maths and reading than those born closer together. The study, published in a forthcoming issue of the Journal of Human Resources, analysed data from more than 3,000 women and 5,000 children.

Big families are good for Mums

Research involving 1300 women in California suggested those who had four or more children were one third less likely to due from cardiovascular disease with mothers of large families were almost 50 per cent less likely to die of a stroke. Researchers predict that it may be that having higher levels of hormones associated with pregnancy circulating in the body for longer may leave lasting benefits on the body's blood vessels.

Susan's scary statistic

19% of kids aged 2-5 know how to play a smartphone app; 9% know how to tie their shoelaces.

We've seen A Frosty christmas flowers france

Fame Theatre's travelling Christmas show from next Tuesday to Friday (Today at QUT, Thursday and Friday at UQ) There is something very special about being in a theatre packed with children laughing, singing, booing and generally going off in a celebration of the action unfolding on the stage in front of them. That's exactly what happened yesterday at the performance of Fame Theatre Company's travelling Christmas show a Frosty Christmas. The evil Jack Frost freezes Santa in an attempt to hijack Christmas and score all the presents for himself. The elves travel back to christmas flowers france blogs past to try to find the answeres they need to save Christmas The cast of 25 singers, dancers and actors from Fame Theatre Company explore the origin of the Santa Claus legend and the theme of good versus evil. The reaction of the audience proves that the kids - mostly aged from prep to about Year 3, very much enjoyed going along for the ride. But just one thing - when the time travelling elves were communicating back with the North Pole they were connected with a loud dial up modem noise. I'm afraid today's kids would have no idea what that noise is. The elves needs a smart phone or tablet computer. Gardens Theatre, QUT Gardens Point Campus today at (9.30am & 11.15am). Schonell Theatre, BLD 22/Level 3 Union Complex, Union Rd, University of Queensland, St Lucia. 1 & 2 Dec (9.30am & 11.15am). 1 & 2 Dec (9.30am & 11.15am).

This week

Pip & Pop We miss you magic land! A new exhibition for children at the Children's Art Centre At Goma until March 4

For our GoMA Turns 5 celebrations, the Children's Art Centre invited Perth-based artist duo Pip & Pop (Tanya Schultz and Nicole Andrijevic) to transform the Park Level into a large-scale installation especially for children and families. Drawing on children's fairy tales from all over the world, creation myths, Buddhist cosmologies and video games, Pip & Pop create magical lands coloured with a bright, often fluorescent palette. Adopting the expression 'more is more', Pip & Pop have transformed hundreds of objects and craft materials into beautiful, glittery worlds for 'we miss you magic land!'. Using cake decorating tools, they funnelled rainbow-coloured sugar crystals, fine sands and glitter to create lacy patterned hilltops and valleys, dotting them with artificial flowers, plastic trinkets, crystals and sequins. The finished result is a series of delightful magical worlds where make-believe becomes a part of reality.

Christmas by the Sea Scarborough Beach Park Landsborough Avenue, Scarborough from noon to 8pm on Saturday

Christmas by the sea is a free Christmas event for the whole family to enjoy. Celebrated at Scarborough Beach Park, Christmas by the sea offers a street parade, twelve days of Christmas panto, The Twine, Seaside Orchestra, Chrislyn Hamilton and a fantastic fireoworks display!

Swan Lake by Queensland Ballet at the Playhouse QPAC from Saturday until December 21

Swan Lake holds a cherished place in Queensland Ballet's repertoire. Francois Klaus's spectacular interpretation of this classic ballet honours its rich choreographic heritage (including the traditional 'White Swans' second act), while deftly creating a new narrative that culminates in the migration of the great Russian ballet tradition to the Western world. Ballerina Mathilde Kschessinska was one of the stars of The Imperial Ballet in its golden years of the late 19th century. While living in exile in France after the Russian Revolution, she wrote a memoir of her life and romance with Tsar Nicholas II. Francois Klaus saw parallels between their tragic story and the tale of doomed love between the Swan Queen, Odette, and Prince Siegfried. His ballet chronicles an epic story of devotion and betrayal, with lavish sets and costumes, thrilling dance and the glorious music of Tchaikovsky.

Steam Train Sunday at Roma Street this weekend

All aboard! Travel through Brisbane on an historic steam train and relive the splendour of a bygone era. It's BIG LOUD FUN as you board the steam train from Roma Street Station for a one hour trip through the City. Pass through twenty stations and enjoy two river crossings on your journey aboard vintage carriages. There are 3 trips per day departing at: 10:10am, 11:40am and 1:10pm. Bookings are essential. Adults $19.00, Children $11.00, Concession $16.00, Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) $57.00

Stuart Little at Brisbane Arts theatre until December 23

Size isn't everything, but Stuart Little will prove he can be the mouse that roars in this classic tale by E B White. This musical performance is suitable for children of all ages. Adults $20, Children $16

The Great Moscow Circus until December 4 at Marchant Park, Ellison Road, Chermside

The Performers will astound you with a thrilling combination of acrobatic artistry, along with Incredible magical illusions - " It's not possible how do they do that?" Not only does the Great Moscow circus feature sensational death defying acts.... The Wheel of Death, but wait! The Grande Finale, the Highly Tuned Spectacular of Four Daredevil Motorbike's from Brazil in the splitting 'Globe of Death' never seen before in Australia. Watch in wonderment.... spellbound, at the precision juggling, silks, hula hoops Cubes, and the famous statue act, not forgetting the clowns, who will leave you in stitches! If you thought you had laughed enough wait for the Wacky Ringmaster with his trampoline and the fastest somersault in the world! Tickets are available on Ticketek 132 849 (132 TIX) or 0429 MOSCOW (667269) Child $16 (B Reserve), $27 (A Reserve), $32 (Ringside), $42 (VIP Ringside); Adult $25 (B Reserve), $42 (A Reserve), $50 (Ringside), $60 (VIP Ringside); Family Pass $120 (A Reserve 2 adult + 2 children). Wed-Fri 7.30pm; Sat 1pm, 4pm, 7.30pm; Sun 12pm, 3pm

Rock of Ages at the Lyric Theatre QPAC Until December 4

For a person for whom the 80s represented the university years, a musical about decade's rock anthems should be a sure fire winner. We Built This City, Don't Stop Believin', The Final Countdown, I Want to Know What Love is - there is no denying this juke box musical ticks the boxes when it comes to music that will make you want to get out of your seat and start rocking. There are some awesome performers, terrific singers and great dancers - yes there's so much to like about Rock of Ages. And I did like it BUT, and this is a big BUT, it isn't very good. The plot is very, very thin and for no particularly good reason most of the females in the cast spend most of the time wearing very little. Big hair was very 80s. I can't remember strippers being a particular feature of the decade. Bottom line. If you like 80s music you will like Rock of Ages but be careful before you decide to use it to introduce your kids to the decade. Promotional material says " ROCK OF AGES is a celebration of the great rock music of the '80s and consequently includes strong language, sexual references, adult themes like smoking, drinking, and frequent use of strobe lighting. This is not recommended for Children under the age of 12." Student tickets from $39. Tickets up to $130

How to make a Monster - free exhibition at Pine Rivers Heritage Museum Old Petrie Town, Dayboro Road, Whiteside from Saturday until January 29, 2012

Discover the skills and processes involved in bringing a creature from the written page to the silver screen in this fascinating 'behind the scenes' exhibition. How to Make a Monster features the work of John Cox, Academy Award winner for Visual Effects (for the movie Babe), and his company John Cox's Creature Workshop. It reveals how monsters and creatures are designed and story-boarded, maquettes made and then how the full size creatures are sculpted, moulded, and finished. See how animatronic components are designed and installed to create the bones and muscles that bring monsters to life.

58 seconds of silence for massacre victims

MANILA, Philippines - The Ampatuan massacre trial resumed Wednesday at Camp Bagong Diwa, with prosecutors asking for 58 seconds of silence during the hearing in memory of the 58 victims of the massacre.

Some families of the victims who attended the hearing expressed dismay that justice has remained elusive 2 years after the killings.

Catherine Nuñez, mother of television reporter Victor Nuñez who perished in the tragedy, couldn't hold back her tears.

She said this is the third christmas flowers france  that their family will spend without Victor.

55,000 years to resolve?

One of the victims' lawyers, Atty. Harry Roque, has claimed that it may take 55,000 years for the cases to be resolved because of the the sheer number of the accused (197), arrested (93 with only 64 arraigned), and witnesses (500).

On Wednesday, Roque filed a motion for the partial declaration of judgment that he hopes can help hasten the judicial process.

During the hearing, Army Major Peter Navarro, executive officer of the 64 Infantry Battalion, identified Police Inspector Rex Ariel Diongon, Inspector Julius Macaraeg, Chief Inspector Sukarno Dicay, and Senior Police Officer 2 Badawi Bakal as the police officers assigned at a checkpoint along Masalay Highway near where the massacre occurred.

Navarro said Sukarno denied that an abduction had taken place.

However, when the military went to the scene of the carnage in Barangay Salman, Ampatuan town, they found the lifeless bodies of the victims sprawled across the area.

Only 2 main suspects arraigned so far

Two years after the killings, only 2 of the main suspects from the Ampatuan clan have been arraigned.

The key suspect in the massacre, Andal Ampatuan Jr., has not yet been arraigned. Of the 196 total suspects, only 95 have been arrested.

Malacañang wants the trial of the Maguindanao massacre be fast-tracked up, and hopes that the judiciary can do something about it.

"We would wish that the judicial process be fast-tracked. This case is not in the hands entirely of the executive branch or the prosecution. It is within the discretion of the trial judge, it is within the discretion of the judiciary," Presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said Wednesday.

"We ourselves in the prosecution, we ourselves in the executive branch, we share the public's concern that this case is taking so long, and we would hope that the judiciary would take a second look at the pace of the trial so that justice would be obtained within this term, within the administration of President Aquino," he added.

Remembering the slain

Activities were held nationwide Wednesday to remember the victims in the massacre, particularly the 32 journalists who were slain. One other journalist remains missing.

In Ampatuan town where the killings occurred, hundreds of people, including the victims' relatives, attended an interfaith event and offered flowers and candles. White balloons and doves were also released.

In Metro Manila, activist groups and media organizations led by the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, and the National Press Club held similar events.

A mass and candle-lighting ceremony was held for the victims and a memorial marker was unveiled to honor their memory.

The victims' kin, journalists, and activists also marched on España to Mendiola to highlight their call for the Aquino administration to ensure swift justice is served.

ABS-CBN anchors Ted Failon and Korina Sanchez said at the start of TV Patrol's November 23 newscast that the Kapamilya network was one with other media organizations in commemorating the 2nd year after Maguindanao massacre, the worst violence ever perpetrated against journalists worldwide.

Int'l Day to End Impunity christmas flowers france blogs

Journalists worldwide are also marking November 23 as the first International Day to End Impunity, with the massacre becoming the focus of campaigns for justice for slain media workers in various countries.

"Two years on, dozens of suspects remain at large, including members of the Ampatuan family. The trials have been painfully slow, and attempts to subvert the judicial process - with bribes, threats and intimidation of families and witnesses - continue. The Ampatuans have been linked to at least 56 other killings over the past 20 years," the International Federation of Journalists and the International Freedom of Expression Exchange said in a letter campaign

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), 65 media workers who have been killed in the Philippines since 1992 have yet to find justice as their killers have remained at large.

The CPJ said only 7 of the 72 total cases of journalists' murders in the Philippines have been solved since 1992.

The Senate on Wednesday also adopted a resolution declaring November 23 every year as the national day to end impunity.

Resolution 642, filed by Sen. Francis Pangilinan, calls on Filipinos to never forget the Ampatuan massacre.

Use 'Arroyo standard'

Activist group Akbayan said prosecutors should use the speed of former President Gloria Arroyo's arrest for alleged electoral sabotage as its "gold standard" in dispensing justice to the victims of the Ampatuan massacre.

"Now that the wheels of justice have made huge strides against Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, we should now ensure the same against all those who were given the widest latitude to commit crimes under her term. We cannot expect to call the triumph of justice against Arroyo complete if we cannot say the same against the Ampatuans," the group said.

"An Arroyo conviction, which is the greatest statement of repudiation of Arroyo's legacy of corruption and impunity, can only be possible with an Ampatuan conviction," the group said.

"It should not be forgotten that this crime was perpetrated during the term of Arroyo and [those] who committed it empowered by her," Akbayan said.

"It was Arroyo who gave them the resources and license to terrorize the citizenry of Maguindanao. It was her impunity and brazen violation of rights that inspired and emboldened the Ampatuans to believe that they are above the law. Their warlordism reflected the same kind of rule that the Arroyo administration dispensed. As much as this is a case against the Ampatuans, this is also a case against Arroyo."

Relatives of some of the massacre victims on Tuesday sued Arroyo on Tuesday for arming and supporting the alleged murderers, their lawyer said.

The civil suit is seeking P15 million in damages from the former President.

"She enabled the Ampatuans to do what they did by arming them, by legitimizing their private army, by giving them aid and by giving them political support," Roque said.  - with reports from Jing Castañeda, Jeff Canoy, Willard Cheng, and Ryan Chua, ABS-CBN News; Lore Mae Andong, ABS-CBN News Central Mindanao; Agence France-Presse