Our June 'cover kid' is Avery, 20 months old, from NSW.

We asked Avery's mum a few questions ...

Your best parenting experience so far?
Although it sounds all too easy, being that there are so many - my best parenting experience so far is being able to watch and enjoy Avery's emerging personality, the funny things he does, the way he loses his temper, the way he kisses and waves goodbye, the gentleness with other children his age and the way he REMEMBERS EVERYTHING!

Favourite thing to do with your child?
At the moment - it's got to be going to the park for a run (he's fast) and watching him play on the slide, up and down, up and down!

Tell us about a difficult time that you’ve had since being a parent. How did you overcome the difficulty?
The most difficult thing that I have had to handle is having a sick child. Although Avery is perfect now, we've managed a few hurdles along the way. When he was about 16hours old we were told that he had a soft cleft palate! We had no idea of what that actually meant, the implications it entailed. With the feeding issues behind us, he has also recovered perfectly from surgery in February. I overcame this difficulty with support from friends and family and the belief that there was nothing I wouldn't do to ensure his health. Also, I was always aware that this 'birth defect' was fixable and I was thankful for that, as there are so many sick babies and children and families that endure so much more.

Dummy or no dummy?
I'm very neutral on this! If it comforts the baby and they're happy to take one, then yes! Avery had one for about 3 months, but because of his cleft palate it was impossible for him to suck it hard enough to say in, so eventually we made the decision try settling without it. I had a daughter who refused one, and my other son had one till he was two and a half. My opinion is whatever is best for the baby.

Top parenting tip?
ENJOY your children, be silly with them, play with them, enjoy watching them grow into little people. Savour every moment of their childhood - it goes so fast.