PALMY PARENT PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
February / March . 2021
BE SUN SMART THIS SUMMER
LAZY PARENTING –
Why It’s Good For Us And Our Children
SUNSCREEN REVIEW The best protectors of your little ones skin
EDITOR’S NOTE Hope everyone has had an excellent summer so far! It can be challenging at this time of year finding ways to get out and about in this heat while still staying sunsafe so keep an eye out for tips from The Cancer Society and a sunscreen review from our Parent’s Centre committee members! This issue also takes a look at what “responsive parenting” is, which is a great little intro if you’ve been thinking of coming along to our responsive parenting workshops! We sadly had to say goodbye to our Dad Wrap writer Dan Mackay at the end of last year so we’ll be resurrecting an old column, Stories of a Stay at Home Dad, to fill the gap while we look for a replacement. If any Dads want to do carrier reviews in exchange for free hires from Manawatu Sling Library, please get in touch! Thanks for reading,
Jessica Mollie Ensing Editor
ADVERTISE IN PALMY PARENT Palmerston North Parents Centre has a circulation of over 250 magazines per issue. These are sent to all current members as well as Plunket, midwives and other community groups. Our rates are extremely competitive and we would love your support by way of an advertisement. Also, in addition to our outstanding rates, we offer you a FREE advertorial on your business if you commit to either four or six adverts per annum. For more information contact our Business Relations Officer by email at: palmyparent@hotmail.com One-off price
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In addition to our outstanding rates, we offer you a FREE advertorial on your business if you commit to either four or six half or full-page adverts per annum ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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CONTENTS FEATURES What is Responsive Parenting?
12
Be Sun Smart this Summer
14
Lazy Parenting – Why It’s Good For Us And Our Children
16
Nappy Godmother
20
IN EVERY ISSUE Editor’s note
3
What’s on... Passport to Play Palmy
6
PNPC Seminars & Events
9
Book Review
10
Welcom to the World: Craddle Roll
11
Dad’s Life: Stories from a SAHD
19
Birth Story: Clara’s Birth Story
22
Product Review: Sunscreen Review
26
Family Wellington Zoo
28
Craft: Leaf Printing on Rocks
30
Community support groups
32
Member discounts
33
Playgroups in your area
34
CHECK OUT OUR WINNERS Bruce McKenzie Book Giveaway
10
The Hair Company styling treatment
12
Kind Hearts, Streetwise Coffee
27
Cottage Flowers Arrangement
29
CONTRIBUTORS L a u r a We n d e n G r e e n , D e s i r e e H a r v e y , S a r i t t a Burney, Pinky McKay, David Pick, Myra Reitsma, Jessica Ensing, Erin Evis, Helene Stock, Natasha Harte Front cover by: David Pick
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GOT SOMETHING TO SHARE? Want to share some helpful advice or a great book you’ve read? Let us know and we’ll share it with our members. Or, if you would like to have your baby’s photos printed, write about your birth experience, review a book or a family friendly venue you have visited recently, we’d love to hear from you!
Email the Editor at: palmyparenteditor@gmail.com
COMMITTEE NEWS 2020 has been and gone, we are thankful to say that through it all we continued to offer antenatal classes to our expectant new parents, helped them to create coffee groups after the birth of their babies virtually and then in person. All of our postnatal seminars also continued virtually and then in person when safe to do so. We remain so proud of our volunteer committee and teachers who “Kept calm and taught”. Can’t wait to see what 2021 will bring. We finished off the year with our festive Christmas Party; there was Christmas music, plenty of beautiful photos taken, crafts made and as always an amazing festive food table, made by our amazing volunteer Tara Parkes - no one can walk past the treats she produces for our Christmas parties. We want to say a big thank you to Teresa Watson, our music facilitator, and Tara Parkes, who bakes like a machine and organised the whole event. We have had a quite January but our classes burst into life in February with Music and Seminars kicking off in early February, make sure you follow our Facebook page to keep up to date on our events as they are announced and added to our website. For those who have attended classes previously we have some great news –we have NEW SEATS, the feedback we have received has been positive and we can’t wait till you come back to the centre and try them out. Lastly, we welcomed new Committee member Rowena Dorn and have a few
more joining us this month. We are still looking for a new treasurer and we are always looking for more volunteers, if you are interested please send us an email on info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz Saritta and The Palmy Parents Centre Team Photo by: Milldove Photography
Mission statement Positive birth experiences and informed parenting in a community where parents are supported and highly valued in their role.
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Disclaimer: Opinions and articles in this magazine do not necessarily reflect Parents Centre NZ policy. Advertising in this magazine does not imply endorsement by Parents Centre. ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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WHAT’S ON... Movies in Parks - Scoob! Longburn School, Carey Street, Longburn, Palmerston North Friday 19 February 2021 6:30pm – 8:30pm Movies in Parks is a series of free family movie nights in Palmy neighbourhoods throughout the summer. Grab the picnic basket, cushions or chairs, and the whānau for a great night out! Scooby and the gang face their most challenging mystery ever: a plot to unleash the ghost dog Cerberus upon the world. As they race to stop this dogpocalypse, the gang discovers that Scooby has an epic destiny greater than anyone imagined. Directed by Tony Cervone, Scoob! is rated PG and is 1 hour 33 minutes long. This is an outdoor movie, so in case of bad weather check the PNCC Facebook page for updates.
Turtle Labyrinth | Tape Art NZ Te Manawa Museum of Art, Science and History, 326 Main St, Palmerston North Friday 19 February 2021 3:00pm-5:00pm and Saturday 20 February 2021 10:00am-4:00pm Part of Papaioea Festival of the Arts Work with Tape Artists to create your own sea creature from tape alongside their intricate Turtle Labyrinth. Tape Art NZ will install a beautifully detailed Turtle Labyrinth in the outdoor spaces at Te Manawa Museum. Guided by artists Erica Duthie and Struan Ashby, individuals and families will join in the creative fun. Find your own style using tape to draw and add your very own unique art pieces to this amazing labyrinth that will be able to be walked throughout the Festival. THIS IS A DROP-IN PARTICIPATION EVENT
Kiwibop The Garden at Te Marae o Hine, Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Palmerston North Saturday 20 February 2021 11:00am and 2:00pm Kiwibop are a high-energy original music performance duo from Aotearoa, featuring Amy Hunt and Annie Dalzell.
Kiwibop will perform live music loved by young people and their families as part of our Whānau Day on Saturday 20 February. THIS IS A FREE EVENT BUT BOOKINGS ARE REQUIRED.
Wacky Water Day 2021 Skoglund Park, Thames St, Palmerston North Saturday 20 February 2021 12:00pm – 4:00pm A free family fun day for the Roslyn community. Water slides, giant inflatables, free pool entry to Freyberg Pool from 1 pm, free sausage sizzle, and a giant water fight! The mobile library will be on-site, community groups running activities, performances, and more. Bring your togs, towels, hats, and drink bottles and come and join the fun! This event is run by Reach Roslyn and funded by the Palmerston North City Council
Lantern Parade - Festivals of Cultures The Square, The Square, Palmerston North Friday 26 February 2021 7:00pm – 10:00pm The Square will light up on Friday 26th February as we celebrate the “Year of the Ox” at this year’s Festival of Cultures Lantern Parade. The lantern parade this year will have a twist the lanterns will be dancing Samba this year to celebrate both the Year of the Ox and the Rio carnival for which the Ox is a traditional figure. Live music and food from 7pm. Join us in dancing through Te Marae o Hine - The Square with Salsa Grooves and Samba from 7:30pm – 8:30pm followed by the parade at 8.30pm. This is a free, family friendly event. Immerse yourself in this beautiful cultural tradition and make sure you check out all the different events that make up this amazing cultural celebration. Palmeirhinos (Brazilian Heritage Group), MMC and the City Library are teaming up to make sure you are all set to join the festivities. Choose one of the Carnival/Lantern projects and get crafting: masks, wearable bulls, shakers, paper lanterns. Free workshop with all materials provided. - Tuesday 2 February 2pm to 4pm @ The City Library
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- Saturday 13 February 11am to 2pm @ The Square / Lunar New Year festival - Saturday 20 February 10am to 12pm @ The City Library
World Fair Day - Festival of Cultures Te Marae o Hine - The Square, Palmerston North Saturday 27 February 2021 10:00am – 4:00pm The Square will burst into colour on Saturday 27 February from 10am-4pm, to celebrate the beautifully diverse cultural identity of our city. Join us in celebrating the final day of the Festival of Cultures. The World Fair Day will showcase a wide range of activities, family fun, performances, food and crafts from around the world. The fair will kickstart at 10am with the official opening ceremony beginning at 10:30am. With local and international performers, over 100 food and craft stalls as well as a ‘Have-a-Go’ tent, there will be plenty for all the family to see and learn from different cultures. This is a free, family friendly event.
Movies in Parks - PPPC presents WALL.E Monrad Park, Highbury Ave, Palmerston North Sunday 28 February 2021 2:00pm – 6:00pm WALL.E starts at 4:30pm. About WALL.E: In the distant future, a small waste-collecting robot inadvertently embarks on a space journey that will ultimately decide the fate of mankind. Directed by Andrew Stanton, WALL.E is rated G and is 1 hour 38 minutes long.
popular paddling pool, accessible bushwalks, and the beautiful rose gardens, as well as family favourites like the Esplanade Scenic Railway, Junior Road Safety Park, and Central Energy Trust Wildbase Recovery, there’s always so much to do. But on this one special day each year there’s even more! We’ve got live music and dance performances, food and craft stalls and plenty of free activities for the whole whānau to enjoy. Bring your family, your hats and your sunscreen, and come on down and connect with your community.
Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter Open Day 2021 Palmerston North Hospital, 50 Ruahine Street, Palmerston North Sunday 7 March 2021 10:00am – 2:00pm Make sure you save the date for our upcoming annual Palmerston North Rescue Helicopter Open Day for 2021. Come along and meet your rescue helicopter crew, see the life-saving machine up close and personal, plus see all of our fellow emergency services teams. A family-friendly event for all ages, with live demonstrations, local food trucks, and interactive activities happening from 10am – 2pm you won’t want to miss out! Gold coin donation on the day.
Movies in Parks - Sonic the Hedgehog Awapuni Park, Newbury Street, Awapuni, Palmerston North Saturday 13 March 2021 6:30pm – 8:30pm
This is an outdoor movie, so in case of bad weather check the PNCC Facebook page for updates.
Movies in Parks is a series of free family movie nights in Palmy neighbourhoods throughout the summer. Grab the picnic basket, cushions or chairs, and the whānau for a great night out!
Explore Esplanade Day
After discovering a small, blue, fast hedgehog, a small-town police officer must help him defeat an evil genius who wants to do experiments on him. Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog is rated PG and is 1 hour 39 minutes long.
The Esplanade, Palm Drive, Palmerston North Sunday 7 March 2021 10:00am – 4:00pm Explore Esplanade Day is back on New Zealand Children’s Day! In 2021, we are celebrating Palmerston North’s 150th - so come along to the biggest children’s party of the year! Victoria Esplanade is always a great place for a day out. With Palmy’s biggest playground, the
This is an outdoor movie, so in case of bad weather check the PNCC Facebook page for updates.
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8 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
PNPC
SEMINARS & EVENTS FEBRUARY & MARCH NEWBORN BREASTFEEDING Saturday 13th February 10am If you are expecting a child soon and plan on breastfeeding, or have recently begun breastfeeding a newborn, then this seminar is a MUST. Come along and learn techniques for achieving a successful, enjoyable, and sustainable breastfeeding journey. Presented by Cheryl Benn, International BoardCertified Lactation Consultant, self-employed midwife, and Regional Midwifery Advisor to MidCentral and Whanganui DHBs. In this seminar Cheryl will cover: • My amazing breasts and breastmilk • Expressing and storing colostrum • Birth, skin to skin, and the first breastfeed. • The first few weeks - why do babies suck so much and signs of milk transfer. • Q & A time You can attend this seminar while pregnant and again in the early weeks with your newborn. FREE for all to attend but registration is essential as numbers are limited.
INFANT CPR Monday 15th February 10am This short course will cover baby and infant CPR, choking, burns, convulsion, fever, illness warning signs and accidental ingestion of toxins. • Qualified Facilitator • Small class sizes • Baby Friendly Venue: Palmerston North Parents Centre, 117 Ruahine Street Palmerston North. Cost: $6 PNPC Members; $12 Non-members
INTRODUCTORY WATER SKILLS AT THE LIDO Friday 19th February 1130am-12pm Friday 19th February 12pm-1230pm Learn skills for introducing your child to the water in this “taster” swimming class. For babies 5+ months, this class is 30 minutes in duration. Class kindly provided by CLM Swim Magic at Lido Aquatic Centre. Attendees receive a voucher for discounted swimming lessons for the following term. FREE for all to attend but registration is essential.
FEEDING UNDER 5’S Saturday 20th February 10am Join Registered Dietitian and mum Megan Somerville to discuss the practicalities of feeding 1-3 year olds. Learn about common challenges such as fussy eating, discuss practical tips and strategies around making mealtimes easy and how you can support your toddler to develop a healthy relationship with food. Cost: $6 members; $12 non-members. Registration is essential as numbers are limited.
HOT TOPIC- NEW BABY, HELPING OLDER SIBLINGS COPE Sunday 21st February 10am This Hot topic will cover how to address some of the key questions around sibling relationships: • How can we help our little one adjust to the new baby? • How do we juggle all the needs in the family? • What on earth do I do when my toddler keeps hurting the baby? Although aimed at younger children the concepts discussed will apply to all sibling relationships. FREE for all to attend but registration is essential.
RESPONSIVE PARENTING COURSE Sunday 7th & 13th March, 930am-330pm. Palmerston North Parents Centre’s Responsive Parenting Workshops are designed to encourage, support and equip families with positive, ‘responsive’ and non-punitive strategies for the parenting journey. Cost: $20 per person or $35 per couple.
STARTING SOLIDS Sunday 28th March 10am Perfect for parents of 3-9 month olds. In this popular seminar with Registered Dietitian and mum Megan Somerville, you will learn the signs that your baby is ready for complementary feeding, what to introduce when, other topics to ensure you are confident and ready for this next step Cost: $6 members; $12 non-members. Registration is essential as numbers are limited.
To register please see our website: http://www.palmyparentscentre.org.nz/ All seminars and events can be found in our calendar on the website. For any queries please email: info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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BOOK REVIEW
ERNIE AND THE MAGIC KENNEL By Desiree Harvey Words by Robert Rakete and Jeanette Thomas Illustrated by Kimberly Andrews Available at Bruce McKenzie Booksellers on George Street - Paperback $19.99 “Adventures start right here! This Kennel’s full of magic,” read Ernie with delight. “In this you’ll fly, up in the sky. Get packed, you leave tonight!” Ernie and Benny go on a magical journey of family and friendship around the world in this whimsical tale by radio hosts Jeanette Thomas and Robert Rakete. New friends are made, as well as a visit to the Queen. Delightfully illustrated by Kimberly Andrews, this is a gorgeous book the kids will enjoy time and time again, especially the dog lovers! Ernie and Benny are characters based on real life dogs, both with a story themselves, which is included in the book. All proceeds received by the authors have been donated to charity. “Home’s more than a family tree. It’s anyone who loves someone, for ‘love’ is family.”
I V G E A K WAY O O B Be in to win this issue’s reviewed book!
Just follow these 3 easy steps!
1
To enter the draw to win this issue’s book, email your name, with ‘Book Giveaway’ in the subject line to info@palmyparentscentre.org.nz
2
10 th March 2020 That’s
all!
The winner’s name will be printed in the next issue of the Palmy Parent and the winner can collect their book from the Palmy Parent Centre.
ratu Cong lation Amy Young
: s to
3
Entries for the next draw must be received by
who has won a copy of ‘Mihi’
10 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
The children’s book reviewed above has been generously donated by Bruce McKenzie Booksellers on George Street, Palmerston North to give away to a lucky Parents Centre Member. Bruce McKenzie’s Booksellers is situated in George Street beside the entrance to the Palmerston North Library. Bruce McKenzie’s carries an enormous range of books from children’s to specialist non-fiction and is definitely worth a visit. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask the staff who are always willing to help.
WELCOME TO THE WORLD Welcome to all the new babies born to our wonderful Parent Centre members! If there are any corrections to the list below, please email palmyparenteditor@gmail.com
Class: Due October | CBE: Teresa Watson / Rebecca Matsas
Indigo Matawai Flaherty Shaw
Beau Brent Alan Hesselin
Laura and Jock Shaw
Cara and Bryce Hesselin
6 October 2020
7 October 2020
Ella Therese Gibbs
Cassidy Emerson Kibby
Anna Kane and Dave Gibbs
Courtney and Richard Kibby
9 October 2020
25 October 2020
Jack Robin Harding
Koa Emmanuel Craig
Rosie and Luke Harding
Corey and Jess Craig
26 October 2020
27 October 2020
Taika Toa Tamati
Adam Murray Dempster
Keri & Hāmiora Tāmati
Elizabeth and Jordan Dempster
29 October 2020
4 November 2020
Jake Logan Killgour
Ella Jayne Beech
Holly and Stephen Killgour
Debra and Adam Beech
6 November 2020
10 November 2020
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
born to
Elias George Rawhiti Waihi born to
Shane and Leigh Waihi
12 November 2020
ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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FEATURE
WHAT IS RESPONSIVE PARENTING? By Robin Mason You may have heard of different terms such as positive parenting, peaceful parenting, gentle parenting, and conscious parenting and wondered what on earth they are about... To some extent, many of these terms are interchangeable. They refer to an approach to parenting that is conscious (i.e. thoughtful and deliberate) but, more importantly, that focus on positive connection with our children through empathy, effective communication, and the use of non-punitive discipline. Responsive parenting is therefore gentle, peaceful, and constructive both for the parents and the child/children. According to L.R. Knost, internationally renowned gentle parenting expert and author, “Gentle Parenting is about guiding instead of controlling, connecting instead of punishing, encouraging instead of demanding. It’s about listening, understanding, responding, and communicating. Getting to know and enjoying your children as individuals, intentionally focusing on building and maintaining a strong and healthy parent/child connection,
and living what you want your children to learn are the bedrocks of gentle parenting.” But what about boundaries and discipline? Responsive or gentle parenting does not mean permissive parenting or failing to
discipline our children. Boundaries and limits are essential for a child’s safety and growth, just as they are for operating effectively as an adult in society. However, many people associate discipline with punishment.
Congratulates
Sophie Murphy For winning a Treatment, Cut and Blowwave for being a current Palmerston North Patents Centre member Ph: 358 4010 | Hotel Coachman,134 Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North | thehaircompany.co.nz Open Mon - Sat, late nights Tues and Thur
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Aren’t we just molly-coddling our kids? Research shows that children who have warm, secure, and trusting relationships with their parents and primary caregivers are more open, adaptable, and responsive to limits. Conversely, children who are physically or emotionally punished for ‘bad behaviour’ react more strongly to boundaries, are less compliant to requests or instructions, and tend to misbehave again soon after being punished.
Responsive Parenting Workshops or come along to one of our ‘hot topic’ nights. See Facebook for more details www.facebook.com/PNorthPC.
While repealing Section 59 of the Crimes Act 1961 (commonly referred to as the ‘antismacking’ legislation) is argued to have increased the physical safety of children in New Zealand, little has been done to educate, equip, and support parents to take a more positive, non-punitive approach to parenting. This has been the key driver for Palmerston North Parents Centre in developing a series of “responsive parenting” workshops that are founded on the principles of gentle parenting. If you would like to learn more about gentle parenting, nonpunitive approaches to boundaries and discipline, and strategies for communicating more effectively with your children, sign up today for our next series of
PARENT CENTRE PARTNERS:
ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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SEASONAL FEATURE
BE SUN SMART THIS SUMMER By The Cancer Society It’s that time of the year again where we like to get outside and get a good dose of vitamin D. With the UV radiation level rising to levels that put our skin at risk of damage, it means it’s also time to stock up on hats and sunscreen and put them to good use. Proper protection from the sun is more important during childhood than at any other time in life, as childhood and teenage sunburn is a high-risk factor for developing melanoma. It’s important to remember that regardless of the temperature, UV radiation levels are in the very high - extreme range at this time of year and particular care should be taken to ensure children and parents enjoy the summer without putting themselves at risk of skin damage. Here are some useful tips and facts to help you and your family stay SunSmart this summer.
The Cancer Society recommends applying sunscreen every two hours so that you can be sure it has a good chance of providing the best level of protection.
Sun Protection Toddlers:
Sunscreens that are specially formulated for children have a mild base designed especially for their sensitive skin. Test a small amount on the inside of their forearm first.
for
Babies
and
• Cover as much of your baby’s skin as possible with loose fitting clothes and wraps made from closely woven fabrics
sunlight is minimised whenever possible. Plenty of shade, combined with the use of appropriate hats, clothing, and sunscreen help protect children from getting sunburnt and tanned.
Sunscreen
It’s an important lesson to teach children that before they go outdoors, they must grab their hat and apply sunscreen. Children can learn to apply their own sunscreen and could be matched up with a sunscreen buddy to help them.
• Choose a broad-brim or legionnaire style hat or bucket hat so your baby’s neck and ears are protected • Provide full shade for your baby’s pram, stroller, or play area. The material used should cast a dark shadow. • Check your baby’s clothing, hat, and shade positioning regularly to ensure they continue to provide protection from the sun
Letting Your Children Play Outside in Summer: Most of the sun’s UV radiation reaches us during the middle part of the day, especially between 10am and 4pm. During this time period, UV levels are most intense. Try scheduling outdoor activities in the mornings or afternoons (if possible), when the UV is not as intense. Active outdoor play is important for health and development, and outdoor activities are safe as long as time spent in direct 14 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
Being SunSmart on Cloudy or Cool Days Sunburn is caused by UV radiation not temperature therefore even on a cooler day in summer, the UV level can be intense. You can also get sunburnt on cloudy days, as UV radiation can penetrate some clouds.
Getting Enough Vitamin D During daylight savings months, New Zealand’s high UVR levels mean that even when babies are outdoors for short periods before 10am and after 4pm with small
amounts of skin exposed they are likely to receive enough ultraviolet radiation exposure to maintain healthy vitamin D levels.
In winter, it’s generally safe and advisable for infants to spend some time in the sun. Please remember the importance of skin protection and make sure you and your children Slip, Slop, Slap and Wrap whenever the UVR is 3 and above.
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PARENTING
LAZY PARENT ING – WHY IT’S GOOD FOR US AND OUR CHILDREN By Pinky McKay “What is baby led weaning?” my daughter Sarah asked me. “It’s what I did with you, except there wasn’t a name for it then,” I told her, “I just popped some food on your high chair tray and you helped yourself.” “What? You mean, you didn’t even FEED me?” I laughed, “look at your baby photos –I think somebody must have fed you,” (she was a deliciously chubby bubba). Sarah was our fourth baby. By then I had whole-heartedly embraced a philosophy of ‘lazy parenting.’ Or, as I liked to call it with her older siblings, ‘benevolent neglect.’ With my first baby, I had tried to follow
‘the rules’. When he started ‘solids’, the advice was to start off with baby cereal. So I bought a box. I squirted breastmilk onto the recommended teaspoon of cereal. I made it too runny so I added more cereal, then it was too thick so I squirted more breast milk, then it was too runny. Eventually I had almost a bowl full of perfectly mixed cereal – which my baby promptly spat out. Even though the cereal didn’t work out, I still lovingly pureed fresh fruits and steamed vegetables, especially for him. It simply hadn’t occurred to me that he could eat the same foods we were eating. That is until we were staying with my grandparents and my Poppa handed him a drumstick from the roast chicken. How that kid loved feeding himself! Aha
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– no more fiddling and fussing with ‘baby’ food. Ever. Again. As my babies grew, my approach was that it was my responsibility to provide healthy food and their choice whether to eat it or not. I didn’t cook special meals – hell, I’m not a short order cook. If you don’t like it, leave it. If they didn’t eat dinner, they could have something completely boring, like a vegemite sandwich, if they felt hungry later. No food fights, no power struggles about food, and nobody seemed to go to bed hungry. Food wasn’t the only area that I embraced the theory of lazy parenting. Sleep was another one I learned to relax about. First time around, we had spent hours restoring an antique cot, even tracking down a craftsman who made us a new matching brass knob to replace the missing one. I had crocheted fine woolen blankets and the whole thing looked divine. Except my baby wasn’t overly impressed by our design skills. And, after tucking him into
his beautiful bed at least ten times one night (and wanting to put a pillow over the sleeping face of my husband), I took him into bed with me. He slept – soundly! Eventually he moved out into his own bed and subsequent babies moved in with us. By the third baby, I didn’t even bother trying to put her in her cot at night.. I didn’t consider longer term benefits (sleep was the immediate priority) until
one night when she was about three, I heard her patter to the toilet in the dark, all by herself, then she pattered back to her own bed. I had a light bulb moment – none of our kids were scared of the dark. Of course they weren’t because they had never been left alone at night, so they hadn’t developed an association with night time being scary. Lazy parenting payoff! Play is another aspect we can chill out about too. We know that play is important – it’s a child’s work. We provide educational toys and we hover and teach our toddlers how to play nicely. We schedule classes and the pressure is strong – every class for littlies will be promoted as absolutely essential to their development. I tried a toddler gym class – with two toddlers and a baby strapped onto me. One toddler slipped away from the structured class and found a trampoline to jump on. He didn’t give a damn about waiting in lines for his turn. That didn’t
go down well with the instructor. It was easier to just take them to the park and let them choose what to play on. At home we had a sandpit and I provided old sheets and fabric along with a bucket of clothes pegs and they pegged the fabric on low branches to make their own cubbies. Their favourite activity as tiny tots was ‘painting the fence’ with a house sized paint brush and a shallow bucket of water (no mummy
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Lazy Parenting Continues involvement necessary). Inside, I sat back and fed the baby in peace or had a HOT cuppa while they built roads all around the lounge room with blocks or made cubbies by draping sheets over chairs and the dining room table. There is research to back up my lazy approach to play: the author Peter Gray, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology (emeritus) at Boston College. Gray defines “free play” as play a child undertakes him- or her-self and which is self-directed and an end in itself, rather than part of some organized activity. It is through play that children first learn how to make decisions, solve problems, exert self control, and follow rules. As children negotiate both their physical and social environments through play, they can gain a sense of mastery over their world, Gray contends. “Children who do not have the opportunity to control their own actions, to make and follow through on their own decisions, to solve their own problems, and to learn how to follow
rules in the course of play grow up feeling that they are not in control of their own lives and fate. They grow up feeling that they are dependent on luck and on the goodwill and whims of others….” Speaking of exerting self- control and following rules, as they grew, my kids did their fair share of ‘negotiating’ . However, unless somebody was being unkind or unfair, I took the ‘lazy parenting’ approach there as well. Mostly they worked things out without interference from me. One day I was reading how a parenting expert had ‘solved’ his children’s sibling squabbles over a game of mini golf by taking away the rules so there were no winners or losers. I was a bit surprised (I had thought it was important to learn how to lose graciously), so I asked one of my older kids if they had ever felt upset about being beaten in a game with siblings (they played board games together for hours). He grinned and said, “I would have cheated if they were beating me.” So much for lazy parenting!
Hire a Tens Machine Hire a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) machine to help reduce your pain during labour and childbirth. Palmerston North Parents Centre (PNPC) has five TENS machines available for hire by our members for ONLY $20 for up to four weeks’ hireage (plus a $40.00 refundable bond). Machines can be booked for the two weeks prior to your due date until two weeks post due date. Watch a video interview with a TENS machine expert at youtube.com/ watch?v=4gUEtYAqPw8 Book your TENS Machine from: Junior Kids Store, 23 Broadway Ave, Ph 06 354 5516, info@juniorkidsstore.co.nz, Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm › Sat 9.30am - 4pm. Please pay by cash and bring your PNPC Membership card. Full terms and conditions on our Facebook page: facebook.com/PNorthPC
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DAD’S LIFE
STORIES FROM A SAHD David Pick shares the adventures of stay-at-home parenting from a dad’s perspective. It’s almost time for me to take over the reins of child rearing from my partner Amy. She returns to work next week after two years of maternity leave. I have “retired” to be at home full time with our daughter Katharine. It’s been a circuitous journey for me, well for all three of us I guess, but a more protracted one for me. I have a trio of sons from a prior marriage. They are in their thirties. Their mother was a stay at home mum until they were school age, even though she had the opportunity to use extended family for child care. The boys benefitted from a great start to life from her care and attention. At that time it was logical for me to continue with my job as a teacher and her to stay at home, because I had a degree and therefore more earning power, while she did not. It was an era when mums were just starting to re-enter the workforce while their children were still preschoolers, but we didn’t consider this as an option, even though it was “fashionable” to do so. Amy and I got together sometime after I left my wife. Katharine was a planned addition to our lives, one that we take responsibility for seriously and with joint deliberation. From even before Katharine was born we have shared the parental load. We worked hard to become pregnant, watching our diets, removing alcohol from our regime, and planning our activities to maximise our chances of success. This was necessary as I had to have a vas reversal and Amy, despite being considerably younger than me, was approaching the time when childbearing was going to be less likely and more risky.
than when I started being a dad, greater than all those thirty plus years of teaching (even though I know how important that job is). Perhaps it’s my age, or those experiences as a teacher and deputy principal, or perhaps it’s just a response to what is new territory. Or perhaps it has to do with loss of the financial independence and image of self that went with having a salaried profession. Whatever the case, it’s scary as well as exciting and it starts next week! Watch this space...
When Katharine was born, I was lucky enough to be able to participate in all aspects of her care as an equal partner. Even though I couldn’t give birth to her (for obvious reasons!), I was in attendance for the entire labour, caught her as she emerged, and because Amy happened to have trouble producing enough milk, I have been able to feed her from a very early age. Nappies don’t frighten me, even though I happily thought I had said “goodbye” to scraping them clean more than twenty years ago. It was lovely to have a daughter, even though I thoroughly enjoy being a dad to my three sons. We think she is a beautiful, lively young lady whom we would not be without. It’s strange but the prospect of being a full time dad is a bit daunting, almost as daunting as becoming single after 25 plus years of marriage. Stranger still as for the last decade or so, after thirty years of teaching, I have been a member of high school senior leadership teams, with the health and safety of 700 plus teenagers as a direct responsibility. Somehow, the responsibility for the continued healthy development of a two year old toddler, with an unique intellect, seems greater now ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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HEALTH AND WELLNESS
NAP P Y GODMOTHER By Helene Stock After national and international success as a glassblower, Katie Brown says raising a baby on her own in her forties would have been daunting if it hadn’t been for the support of her mother Mandy Brown and Nappy Godmother manager Pamela Rees. “Preparing for a baby was difficult with so many things going on and life was full-on once Neko arrived. But, with the help of two amazing people, I was able to embrace the steep learning curve of parenthood.” Choosing to use reusable nappies was an environmental consideration for Katie, but she also saw cloth nappies as being best for her baby’s health. “It really hit me when I heard that disposable nappies take hundreds of years to decompose. The thought of all of those pooey nappies sitting around in landfills and public places shocked me and I instinctively knew that it would be better to have cloth close to my baby’s skin. I had heard horror stories about how the chemicals contained in disposable nappies and the heating effect of their waterproofing could cause
future health problems for babies.” Then she heard of Nappy Godmother - an “amazing” company that supplies cloth nappies, picks up dirty nappies twice a week, launders them and returns them to your doorstep. This was a perfect solution for Katie, who didn’t have time to wash nappies herself and had to return to her full-on career after six months at home. As he was a big baby, Neko quickly grew out of Nappy Godmother’s newborn-sized nappies but, because of their dome adjustment, the company’s regular cloth nappies lasted him until he was into their cloth pullups. Katie’s mother Mandy, a retired district nurse who had used the old-fashioned cloth nappies for her family, embraced the cloth nappy philosophy, as did Neko’s home-based caregiver. Katie has nothing but rave reviews of the Nappy Godmother service, which she received from Neko’s birth to his toilet training. She is especially grateful for the support and information she received from Pamela, especially when it came to things like toilet training, which Neko achieved
The Koru Study SEEKING PREGNANT WOMEN to take part in a study measuring body composition changes during pregnancy & early infancy
If you are between 11-16 WEEKS of pregnancy we would love to hear from you
For more information
visit: https://www.thekorustudy.com/ If you are interested in joining this study, please contact Ciara Phone: (06) 951 6366 Text: (021) 1 605 805 Email: thekorustudy@massey.ac.nz This project has been reviewed and approved by the Health & Disability Ethics Committee: 19/CEN/47
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within a week of starting.
Happy Neko in cloth nappies.
“She is just the right person for the job - helpful, bubbly, and easy to get on with. She is passionate about her job and has an amazing knowledge and experience in all aspects of childrearing. Because I was an older mum I didn’t have time to do the research, so I didn’t know what to expect, but Pamela gave me the support and information I needed. Neko is a happy, healthy boy and we have loved our journey with Nappy Godmother.” Katie calls Nappy Godmother a “hidden treasure” and would love more people to use the service, giving their babies the best of care while doing their bit for the environment. Interested caregivers or friends and family wishing to gift the service can contact: Pamela Rees on 027 699 9875 or pamela@ nappygodmother.co.nz and visit the Nappy Godmother website h t t p : / / w w w. n a p p y g o d m o t h e r. co.nz
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BIRTH STORY
CLARA’S BIRTH STORY By Erin Evis Being pregnant during COVID has been really strange, to put it mildly. I don’t tend to follow the rules when it comes to pregnancy, and skip most of the routine tests, which means that a few quick midwife appointments were pretty much all I needed as our third child grew safely in my womb while the world on the outside seemed to melt down around us, turning into something vastly different from anything we’d ever imagined possible in 2020. Least of all back in January, at the height of our last normal Summer, when this little one appeared on the scene… As time went on and the sickness passed (lockdown proved serendipitous in that sense – no need to feel bad for lying on the sofa all day trying not to be sick!) I got bigger and bigger, and bigger, and yet bigger. The twin jokes started very early on, so I was relieved each time my midwife could only feel one baby, and the kicks I was feeling were definitely those of a singleton. Only one heartbeat was heard on the stethoscope, and I could only feel one head, yet my stomach just kept getting bigger and bigger, until I was down to just two items of clothing that fit me. Lockdown in March and April was fun, finding myself suddenly needing new clothes and realising the government didn’t consider them essential items – cue many a walk in my (thankfully plain black) pyjamas, as it was all that I could wear. The relief when Kmart opened for online shopping was enormous!!
By the time I reached full term I felt like I was the size of a whale and had been fielding questions along the lines of, “how many weeks left?” and, “you must be due any day now?” for months. With no signs of any action, I was getting anxious to get this baby out and not be two or three weeks past my due date like I had been previously. My big focus was on making sure she was in a good position, so I kept up my spinning babies exercises, regular chiro appointments, and ensuring I never slouched back in chairs or cars. The night I hit 40+3 days, I was sure she’d moved slightly more posterior from her usual position along my left and slightly posterior, so had my husband, Matt, do some rebozo sifting on my belly, followed by a couple of forward leaning inversions. We went to bed early, and a few times in the night I woke up, aware of the sensation of period-type cramping coming from my lower belly, and wondered if it meant things were happening. The next day dawned and I wasn’t in labour – but I felt different. I wasn’t sure how, or why, but I was absolutely certain today was the day. I dropped the kids at school and kindy – warning their teachers I may need to pick them up early as I was sure baby was on her way – and went to pick up my new glasses, having broken my previous pair a week earlier. I joked with some customers in their reception that my new glasses were the last thing on the list, so I could go and have baby now. As I walked out of the shop I felt
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a rather strong cramping in my belly that stopped me in my tracks…. hmm! I suddenly had the urge to buy a cream doughnut of the sort I hadn’t had since I was at school, from the bakery next door, so stopped in to grab one and felt another mild surge. Was the random desire for carbs and fat my body’s way of telling me I’d need the extra energy as the day went on? I got home, and remember standing on the driveway in the sunshine as yet another contraction hit, doughnut in one hand, phone in the other, laughing and breathing and hoping the neighbours weren’t watching. Once it passed I went inside to clean and tidy a bit and relax for the morning. I knew now that things were definitely happening, although I’d only had a few cramps so far, and lost a bit of plug. I picked my daughter up from kindy at the usual time and told her teachers she’d probably be off the next day, then we went to the supermarket and did a massive stock up shop – because what else do you do in early labour?! A good contraction in the beer aisle on the phone to my husband was followed by yet another big one at the checkout, prompting the bemused operators to look on, slightly incredulous, and offer their help.
Do you need an ambulance? No, no, I’m fine, I’ll go pick up my son, go home and pop her out in the lounge, I laughed!! We went and picked up Eddie after school – a bit of a struggle to get across the playground, as walking was bringing things on faster – and I was pleased to be home, calling Matt to hurry back once he’d finished work as things were happening now. We ordered Indian for dinner, thinking a nice hot curry might ensure things really kick off, but by the time it arrived all I could manage was a poppadom before I wanted to go to bed – confirmation that things were definitely heating up; I never want to eat in labour. I said goodnight to the kids and slept on and off until around 11.45pm, when the contractions were coming every eight minutes and strong enough to wake me up. I gave up on sleep and decided to get up, and spent the next couple of hours enjoying the quiet time alone, lights dim, just timing contractions, cleaning the house, tidying the kitchen, wandering around the garden watching a couple of hedgehogs pottering around and looking at the stars… just pondering the miracle of life. It was a beautiful time and I found a routine quickly – tidy, wander, ponder, pause. Breathe. Relax. Smile. Wait for it to pass. ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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Clara’s Birth Story continues Back to tidying. Always speaking words of gratitude for our amazing bodies and the wonderful things they do, knowing my body was designed to do this. I felt my muscles pulling up around the baby, as she descended slowly but surely. Eventually things started feeling a bit more intense, and within half an hour of getting up the eight minutes had whittled down to contractions being just three minutes apart – sometimes four, sometimes just two, but usually three – and well over a minute long. I woke Matt around 1am, though he went back to sleep for a while, and had messaged my birth photographer earlier in the night. She’d made her way over from Wanganui already, and I had let my midwife and student midwife know what was happening too. After a lovely long shower around 2am (I think) I woke my husband up properly, needing the support now, and our photographer Meg and student midwife Ashley arrived soon after. I moved into the lounge, and we found a good rhythm with Matt applying blissful counter pressure through contractions. They were suddenly a lot stronger, taking my breath away each time, and soon I found myself reaching for a spew bucket – transition must have been imminent, as I’d vomited in both previous labours at that point! Contractions were getting seriously strong, and I was finding it hard to walk around as I had been up until then. I found myself yelling into bean bags at one point, before finding that if I leaned on the arm of the sofa while standing up or kneeling upright, things were more bearable.
Contractions were getting much, much stronger – far more painful than they had been for Isobel’s birth – and I was starting to struggle a bit. Breathe. Relax the jaw. Focus. I knew something was a little off as each one was incredibly powerful, almost overwhelmingly so, yet they’d started spacing out to every few minutes or so. Matt called our midwife to let her know she was going to be needed soon. She asked about timing and didn’t think we were quite ready for her arrival yet, so told him to call back soon once a certain frequency was met. He hadn’t realised how close things were to baby’s arrival and so hung up – after some discussion between the four of us, with me telling him she was needed as I could feel baby was on the verge of crowning, he got the message through and she was on her way, though the very strong contractions were spaced out unusually far apart (from my perspective, anyway). My waters broke at some point with an enormous gush across the birth mat – it felt like someone had tipped a bucket out underneath me – and things strengthened more, though I was in that hormonal haze where it could’ve been two minutes or two hours passing and I wouldn’t have known the difference. The kids both woke up at different times, Edward first and then Isobel about half an hour later, and came to join us and watch what was happening. Edward timed contractions for me on the iPad and stroked my arm, and Isobel spoke soft words and helped too, quiet and soothing. By the time my midwife Tammi arrived I could feel I was ready to push, but there was a bit of a cervical lip preventing full dilation. Tammi suspected baby’s head was tilted at a bit of an angle (asynclitic), as did I – I could feel the lip, and the pain and pressure was overwhelmingly backwards and in my bum and hip, which was a very strange and uncomfortable sensation. I asked Tammi what to do, her presence reassuring and calm, and on her advice went through a couple of contractions with a leg raised on the bar of a dining chair. This worked well and I felt the lip clear and her head shift and correct itself – and suddenly it was all on! All dreams of a silent birth went out the window as I roared more loudly than I think I ever had before. The kids watched on with hands over ears as I moved up, down, legs up, legs down, legs out, lean forward, lean back, sit-no-stand-no-sit-no-squat, doing what my body wanted, while Matt kept up the counter pressure. My body started to push her out almost involuntarily, but
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quickly we realised this baby was big and I had to go slowly. It took all my self-control but I slowly, slowly eased her out, waiting through a pause that felt like hours with her head half-born at one point before catching the wave of another surge and continuing to push again. I vividly remember finding myself uttering the line every birthing woman waits for – I can’t do this anymore! – and almost laughing as I said it, knowing it meant I wouldn’t have to, if I could find it within myself to get through the next hurdle. There was a long and much appreciated pause where I rested my head, catching my breath, waiting in painless anticipation of the last few moments of labour. Finally, after what felt like an eternity of overwhelming power coursing through my body, pushing me to the absolute physical limits of what I had within me and drawing on every piece of strength and courage I could muster, our third baby was born into my hands on our living room floor. It was 5.37am on October 14th, not long before sunrise. The perfect start to the day.
detached, tied off with muka by the three of them, and we could move up onto the sofa. And there I lay, snuggling this precious little bundle, drinking her in, exhausted and relieved and ecstatic all at once. I was brought some beautiful chicken soup which restored more of my strength with every mouthful. She was weighed – a healthy 9lb 2oz, which explained my size – and dressed, before I had a quick shower and went to bed where we spent the day, cuddling in the sunshine, loving on this beautiful wee girl, the perfect addition to our family and the perfect bright light in the midst of the craziest year in memory.
The relief was overwhelming, as I lifted her up to my belly, realising her cord was quite short and she was quite a good size. I peered down into her beautiful little face, taking her in as the kids watched on in awe. After a few moments I had a look and made the announcement – you kids have a…. sister, it’s another girl! We wrapped her in blankets and she found her way to the boob for a drink and a cuddle, before I birthed the placenta into a bowl and we decided to cut the cord. Edward and Matt cut it while Isobel watched on, helping at one point and ever intrigued, until it was
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PRODUCT REVIEW
SUNSCREEN REVIEW We have had some exceptionally hot days already this summer and you will have likely had to use sunscreen on your families. There are so many sunscreens available for the family and figuring out which one is the best to try can be confusing and sometimes overwhelming. Our committee have reviewed their current sunscreen they use on their own family and babies and have provided some honest and frank reviews to help you choose the best sunscreen for your situation.
Skinnies Kids 50spf
(consumer NZ agrees with this in latest tests)
$42.99 but google it & you can usually find it on special online! 2 hours water resistant, Kiwi made, No nasties, and Reef safe
Oasis Sun
$39.99 for 250ml
Can be purchased from Pharmacies and Health Food stores. Likes - Works well, been using all summer on everyone in the family from baby to dad and no sunburn. Dislikes - It’s really hard to spread on, the instructions say to put on a generous layer and don’t rub in until it disappears, and it will become (almost) invisible after a while so hard to know how much a good amount is to put on. I always feel like my hands are sticky afterwards and have to wash them. Probably would not buy again.
Likes - It’s amazing! 10/10 A+++. You do not need to put a lot on as there is no water in it - a pea size amount covers your face, neck, and ears. While it seems like it is expensive the tubes last a long time because you use so little in comparison to ‘normal’ white sunscreen. It feels lovely on skin and smells good too. Works well! Lovely on babies’ skinsuitable from 3 months. Dislikes - Baby may scream (read: pack a giant tantrum) when you take the sunscreen tube off them because they may enjoy flicking the lid open & shut.
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Dermaveen 50+ revive and protect sunscreen $21.99 for 200 grams
Available at Life Pharmacies. Likes - We love this. It works really well for both eczema suffers in our family. We find it really moisturising, it has little to no scent, is non greasy and works for the whole family.
Ear ths Kitchen Moringa & Harakeke SP F50+
Dislikes - Would love it even more if it came in a pump bottle!
Buy online from ekskincare.com
$38 for 150g
Certified natural sun sensitive skin & babies
protection
for
Likes: It is very thick & needs rubbing in your hands to heat it up & spread it on but is excellent coverage. Baby stays covered even if you forget reapplication later in the day! Smells beautiful & is all natural & healthy for the skin! Definitely recommend. As part of the Kind Hearts Movement
d n i K ea ts H
has bestowed a random act of kindness upon
Claire Morton You will each receive a free coffee voucher! Don’t forget to pay it forward! Streetwise Coffee Cart, Rangitikei Street, Palmerston North
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FAMILY FRIENDLY OUTING
WELLINGTON ZOO O n Wa i t a n g i w e e k e n d w e d e c i d e d t o t a k e a d a y t r i p t o We l l i n g t o n Z o o w i t h our two year old daughter and new 6 w e e k o l d b a b y . We w e r e l u c k y e n o u g h to strike a warm but not too sunny day. We l l i n g t o n Z o o i s N e w Z e a l a n d ’ s oldest zoo, caring for animals since 1 9 0 6 , a n d i s a l s o We l l i n g t o n ’ s o l d e s t conservation organisation. The zoo is located 10 minutes drive
f r o m c e n t r a l We l l i n g t o n , i n t h e s u b u r b o f N e w t o w n . We a r r i v e d j u s t a f t e r lunch time and parking was a little tricky as there is no dedicated parking at the zoo itself. The zoo has a great mix of local and exotic animals and we were lucky enough to see red pandas, giraffes, lions, and chimpanzees amongst many others. The chimpanzees were a real highlight as we were lucky enough to see the chimpanzee family engaging in play between the adults and children so cute! I found the animal enclosures to be a good size and appeared to replicate the natural environments closely.
The zoo is well-laid out with lots of interesting little bits for the kids along the way as you explore all the animals. There is a small “farm” area where you can interact with the animals which my two year old really enjoyed. There are also lots of children orientated play areas - the lizard slide was very popular, just outside the tuck shop. As well as animals, there is lots of educational information for children
of all ages, with lots of interactive and creative displays. We c o m p l e t e d t h e z o o i n a r o u n d t h r e e hours. It is a bit of a hike and there are some more challenging hills in parts for little (and big) legs so I recommend baby wearing or a sturdy stroller.
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For more information and prices visit
wellingtonzoo.com
Abbie Down
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CRAFT
LEAF PRINTING ON ROCKS AUTUMN CRAFT This leaf printing on rocks art project is such a fun and easy Autumn craft that kids will love. We used beautiful autumn colours to paint our rocks and edged them in gold for an extra special touch.
Supplies:
Rocks - make sure your rocks are large enough for your leaves Leaves of different sizes and shapes Paintbrushes
Acrylic paint in fall colours; we used orange, yellow, red & 2 shades of green Gold paint for edging Mod Podge
Instructions: 1. First, you need to collect some rocks and leaves. This could be a fun nature walk! My daughter and I went outside to look for leaves and river rocks. We tried to find larger rocks and leaves with interesting shapes that were on the smaller side. You could also print a part of the leaf if all you have are bigger leaves. That would still look pretty cool! 2. Make sure your rocks are clean and dry before painting. We choose to paint our rocks yellow, orange, red, and brown for autumn, but you really could paint them any colour you like. Depending on the paint that you use and the colour you might need to do more than one coat on your rocks. 3. Once your rocks are dry, it’s time for the leaf
printing! I found that painting the leaves on the back, helped create more detail when printed. Paint your leaves with a paintbrush but be careful not to put the paint on too thick or it will not make a clear print. 4. Take your painted leaf, press it on your painted rock and gently lift off to reveal your beautiful print! Continue printing with your leaves on the rest of your rocks. 5. Let everything dry and edge your rocks in gold paint with a small paintbrush. Don’t worry about the lines being too straight, that just adds to the design! 6. Once the gold paint is dry, seal your rocks with Mod Podge (I like to use a matte finish).
https://www.projectswithkids.com/easyleaf-printing-on-rocks-autumn-craft/
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COMMUNITY SUPPORT GROUPS Across Te Kotahitanga O Te Wairua We can provide a range of social services which include: Counselling, Family support (including respite care for children), Parenting advice/information and programmes, Advice on other services available for parents and families. Contact: Graeme on (06) 356 7486 or visit www.across.org.nz Allergy New Zealand Support groups are a great way to meet others in a similar situation to you. They are very relaxed, informal sessions to share ideas, discuss your concerns, and get information and resources. Our regional support group is there to help put you in contact with others, to provide you with information such as those all important recipes, and to listen when you need someone to talk to. They are not medically qualified but can refer your queries on and seek information on your behalf. For further information phone 0800 34 0800 or visit www.allergy.org.nz Babywearers Manawatu This is a great way to try different carriers while finding a carrier that suits you and your baby. Babywearers Manawatu Sling Library is on most Wednesdays 12 pm - 1 pm (check FB for up to date info) at Palmerston North Parents Centre, 30 Waldegrave Street, Palmerston North. Membership is one off payment of $10 and carrier hire costs $5 for one week.https://www.facebook.com/groups/ babywearersmanawatu/ Brain Injury Association Central Districts We provide advocacy information and support for people with brain injury, their families, whanau and carers. For more information call (06) 354 3540. Breastfeeding Help An IBCLC (often called lactation consultant) is a breastfeeding specialist qualified to prevent, recognise, and resolve breastfeeding problems. All members of NZCLA hold the professional qualification of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC). Any mother, family member or health professional interested in obtaining the contact details of an IBCLC can phone 0800 4 LACTATION (0800 452 282) during daytime hours. HOPE An opportunity for parents of premature babies to meet and chat and to offer hope and support to those who currently have babies in the Neo-Natal Unit. Graduates welcome. Held at: Plunket Family Centre, 42 Albert Street, Palmerston North. Monday 1pm – 2.30pm. Contact: Karlyn Sullivan-Jones (06) 353 0663 or karlynandmark@xnet.co.nz Itchy Kids A national support group for parents and whanau who care for children with eczema and allergies. For more information contact Sarah Hartley 027 333 7385 or email hartleyfamilynz@gmail.com or visit itchykids.org.nz Manawatu Toy Library Now located at 200 Church Street, Palmerston North, this fabulous toy library has a collection of over 2000 toys. Our members include families, carers, and educational groups. We have toys suitable for babies 5+ months through to school age children. Membership costs $95 per annum or $60 for six months. You are welcome to visit to see what we offer. To find out more, including opening hours: manawatutoylibrary.nz, or call 027 364 6911. Manawatu Down Syndrome Association Regional contact is Andrea Wales (06) 356 1767. Manawatu Home Birth Association Offering information, advice and support to women and their families seeking to birth their babies at home. Birth pools and other equipment available for hire. Library, sibling kits, and bimonthly
newsletters also available. Call (06) 356 BABY (06 356 2229) for more information. Manline Manline services are unique in that we are the only “men helping men” organisation in the Manawatu and Tararua region offering services for men to explore issues within their lives. Our programs are designed to be educational, developmental, rehabilitative, and preventative. http://www.manline.co.nz/home or 06 358 1211 Miscarriage Support Miscarriage can be a very lonely experience and is often not talked about. Miscarriage support groups have produced quality information and pamphlets for women/couples who may need information and support. These invaluable resources can be downloaded from miscarriage.org.nz Methodist Social Services Offering free programmes for primary/intermediate aged children and their parents/caregivers, around the areas of anger management, grief loss and change, and confidence building. We also offer family, couple, and individual counselling, and have both male and female counsellors available. Advocacy and social work support services are provided along with an emergency food service. For all enquiries, please call 06 350 0307, 663 Main Street, Palmerston North. Palmerston North Breastfeeding support group We provide a relaxed place to come and ask questions about breastfeeding and parenting , we hold regular meeting on the first Monday of the month at Palmy Parents Centre, Ruahine St, 10am. We have a library with a wide range of books relating to breastfeeding and parenting. http://www.lalecheleague. org.nz/palmerston-north or https://www.facebook.com/ PNbreastfeedingsupport/ Parent to Parent Supporting families of children with a special need, health impairment, or disability. For more information please phone (06) 355 0787or email manawatu@parent2parent.org.nz Parentline 24 Hour Crisis Line. Offering help and support for parents 24 hours a day. Phone 0800 4 FAMILY. Plunket Education Services For parent education classes please contact the Plunket family centre in Albert Street, Palmerston North, (06) 356 7248 for more information regarding classes in 2016. Reflux Support Contact: Sharon 354 7280 Sands A voluntary group who have lost babies before, during or after birth. They can provide first hand support, guidance, and information on miscarriage, stillbirth, or newborn death. Further information and support can be found by contacting Shaun and Gaylene Vivian (06) 356 9715 or visiting sands.org.nz Supergrans Manawatu Charitable Trust Supergrans Manawatu is all about helping people help themselves. A service to all to brush up on the basic skills needed to provide for oneself or for a family. Our motto is not a ‘do it for you today’ it is a ‘help you to do it tomorrow’ concept. This is a free service. It is concerned with encouraging better skills in those everyday tasks around the home that sustain life. We work with you in your own home. Phone (06) 354 3804 or 021 0669 442 for further information.
32 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
MEMBER DISCOUNTS Want to see your advert here? Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com
FREE! Address labels with any birth announcement, thank you cards
GRANT IRVINE PHARMACY
10% OFF
Ground Floor, TSB Building 12-19, Fitzherbert Ave, Palmerston North
168 Albert Street, Palmerston North Ph: 06 357 8782
10% off for all massages over $40 to PC members
Want to see your advert here? Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com
FREE TEA OR COFFEE
06 358 8549
Receive a free tea or coffee with the purchase of food. 95 the Square, Palmerston North
HAIR TRANSFORMER
15% OFF Discounted, low ratio childcare – For 30 hours WAIVED weekly admin & placement fees
Want to see your advert here? Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com
Link Arcade, Broadway Avenue Palmerston North Ph: 06 358 1309
Want to see your advert here? Contact palmyparent@hotmail.com
ISSUE 299 . February | March 2021
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PLAYGROUPS IN YOUR AREA Plunket Family Centre Playgroup
ASHHURST
Ashhurst Playcentre
AWAPUNI/WESTEND
Kingston St Chapel Palmy Playgroup
CENTRAL
42 Albert Street
021-808-340
Mondays & Fridays 10am to 12noon
118 Standford Street
326 9270
Mon to Thurs 9am - 12pm
Kingston St 358 0716 Tues & Thurs 9am- 11:30am Awapuni Community Centre, 22 Newbury St Tues & Fri 9.30am to 11.30am Facebook: Palmy Playgroup Please bring your own morning tea and a donation of $2 per child.
Crossroads Early Childhood Salvation Army Rudolf Steiner Seventh Day Adventist Church Playgroup with Hope
220 Church St 358 0669 cnr Church & Princess Sts 358 7455 187 Ruahine St 354 4514 257 Ferguson St 282 Cuba Street (opposite Briscoes) Contact: Heather 027 334 9981
Mon to Fri 9am to 12noon Thurs 9:30am to 11am Tues 9:30am - 12noon & Thu 2pm -3:30pm Wed 9:30 to 11:00am Tuesday 9.30-11.30am playgroup@hopevineyard.nz
FEILDING Feilding Playcentre Community Fielding Playcentre Doodlebugs SPACE Bright Sparks Preschool Programme
254A Kimbolton Rd 42 North St Knox Hall, North St 22 Bowen St Feilding Library
323 6100 323 1918 323 7240 323 7221 323 5373
Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Mon to Fri 9am to 1pm Thurs 9am to 11:30am Contact for more details Wed 10:30am to 11:30am
12-32 Brentwood Ave
358 2255
Fri 8:30am to 12noon
339 Albert St Huia St extn
357 9411 357 0791
Wed 9:30am to 10:30am Mon, Tues, Thurs & Fri 9am - 12noon
HIGHBURY
Te Aroha Noa Community Services
HOKOWHITU
St Albans Church Park Road Playcentre
LINTON
Linton Playgroup
MILSON
Milson Playcentre
OPIKI
Opiki Playgroup
ROSLYN/KELVIN GROVE
Kelvin Grove Salvation Army Church on Vogel Plunket Roslyn Over 1’s Coffee Group
Linton Camp (Community Centre) 3519970
Mon & Wed 9am to 11:30am
1a Seaforth Ave
Mon, Wed & Fri 9am-12noon
356 9824
St Andrews Church, Main Road
Tues 10am to 12noon
99-103 Kaimanawa St 127 Vogel St 177 Vogel Street
Wed 9:30am to 11:30am Wed 9:30am to 12noon Wednesdays 9.30am to 11am
353 0917 357 7336 021-808-340
RONGOTEA
Te Kawau Playcentre Medway St 324 8246
SANSON
Sanson Playcentre
TERRACE END
St David‘s Presbyterian Church Terrace End Playcentre
Mon to Thurs 9:15am to 12:15pm, Fri 11:45am to 2:45pm
2 Philipps St
329 3503
Tues and Fri 9am to 12noon
Cnr Main & Rainforth 77 Ruamahanga Cres
358 3246 0221400610
Tues 10:00am to 11:30am Wed, Thu, Fri 9.30am to 12.30 school term
SPECIALIST GROUPS
La Leche League 355 3104 Manawatu Multiple Birth Club Kingston St Church 357 9773 Parent 2 Parent Special Needs Matipo St 355 0787 ABCD early intervention group 9 Woburn Place 0800 693 724 - Down Syndrome French for Preschoolers 1st floor, 47 the Square 021 207 0114 Spanish Class – 2 yrs and up 355 8257 Plunket Bhutanese Playgroup 25 Franklin Ave 3574844 Book Bubs baby book club PN Library
34 PALMY PARENT . PALMERSTON NORTH PARENTS CENTRE MAGAZINE
Contact for more details Every 2nd Wed,10am 1st and 3rd Tues each month, 1-3pm Once a month on Thurs 10am to 12noon Fri 3.30pm to 4.30pm Contact for further details Mon 12.30 – 2.30pm Thursday 10.30 – 11 am fortnightly.
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Parents CENTRE IN-STORE & ONLINE