February/March 2016 by Taieri Parents Centre

February/March 2016 Newsletter

PO Box 129, 17 Green Street, Mosgiel

parentscentretaieri@gmail.com www.taieriparentscentre.co.nz Feb/March 2016

Inside this issue: President’s Report

Pg. 3

Situations Vacant

Pg. 9

Learning is Child’s Play

Pg. 11

Upcoming Events

Pg. 13

Photo Competition

Pg. 15

My Experience with Post Natal Depression

Pg. 21

Vinegar: The Cheap N’ Easy Wonder Cleaner

Pg. 27

Congratulations to Megan Templeton and Harriet for their winning photo featured on the cover! For other entries and next month’s photo contest theme, see Page 15. Disclaimer: Opinions and articles in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect policies of Parents Centres NZ Inc. Content featured in this newsletter has been credited to its source material, contributors maintain original copyright. Advertising features are explicitly stated and do not imply endorsement by Parents Centre NZ Inc.

Taieri Parents Centre

Letter from the editor: Kate Jones

Even though the calendar says that it’s only a few weeks until Autumn, it finally feels like Summer is in full swing here on the Taieri. We had a fantastic turn out with submissions for our photo contest this month featuring kids and families having fun in the sun. Although the days are getting shorter it’s still important to “Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap”, check out Pages 15—20 for all of the photos and info on sun safety. I’ve been particularly soft in the heat this year as I’ve been counting down the days until my 2nd child is due in the middle of February. The nesting instinct kicked into full gear last week, maybe a little too late this time as my house still looks like a bomb went off. However, all the random nooks and crannies not accessible by my toddler are clean, thanks to some good old fashioned elbow grease and my favourite cleaning product of all time: white vinegar. Check out Page 27 for some helpful tips on this effective and super cheap product. Lastly, before I sign off for a couple of months I just want to thank my fellow committee members and TPC members for all of their help, support, and for making this job tons of fun. TPC is a great community of families that provide support at all stages of parenthood, check out Kim’s President Report on Page 3-4 to find out more on getting involved in the upcoming year. I’m also starkly aware that new babies (even the second time around) are a major life changer. Post natal depression is a reality for many new mums, but there is no need to suffer in fear or in silence. Check out one mother’s experience on Page 21 as well as support information. TPC is also ALWAYS here to help, don’t be afraid to seek assistance if you’re feeling depressed or even just plain overwhelmed. I know that I will be looking forward to some coffee and venting sessions with new mums at Bumps and Bubs, hope to see you there soon!

Cheers, Kate Feb/March 2016

President’s Report Kim Timperley

Happy New Year everyone!! I hope you all had a fabulous Christmas and New Year break and enjoyed the beautiful weather that Mother Nature provided. Miss E, Mr T and I spent Christmas down at my parents in Invercargill. My brother announced that he and his wife are expecting their first baby in July – very exciting news!! New Years was a very quiet affair as I am training for a CrossFit competition in February so am eating clean and avoiding alcohol. In fact for those of you who don’t follow me on FB, I was up at 5:30am New Year’s day for a run and saw the most beautiful of sun rises shining on a white dove on the powerlines. I took that as a sign of amazing things going to happen this year and I just can’t wait! Now we need to discuss something important….. TPC is a pretty amazing facility right?? I know sometimes it seems like it’s a bunch of super-mums running the centre but really, we are just normal busy mums like the rest of you; coping with life as best we can. To that end, as a committee we have decided to take a step back from some of the PR type events that we do during the year because as a group we were all pretty exhausted by the end of 2015……..this year is all about looking after ourselves so we can better look after all of you mummies and daddies.

BUT we need your help PLEASE!! 3

Taieri Parents Centre

In order for us to keep the centre running and to provide classes to you at no cost, we need to absolutely nail the Jaffa Race fundraising this year. In previous years we have made upwards of $8,000 but last year we only got just over $5,000. This might not seem like a big drop but the Jaffa Race is really the ONLY fundraising event that makes us any money. Without it we would have to raise our membership fees and / or start charging for services. At the moment our membership stands at just over 100 families which is awesome!! If each of you could offer up 1 hour of your time this year, we would easily cover the ticket selling required to sell all our allocated tickets and retain all our profit without having to give up too many tickets to other centres. I need some volunteers to join a Jaffa Race sub-committee as well. The more people we have volunteer, the less everyone has to do all round. Give it a go……..I promise you won’t regret it!!

We would also love to see some more mums AND DADS on our other sub-committees or even on main committee SO why not come along to a committee meeting next month and see what we are all about?! Meetings are at 7:30pm on the first Tuesday of every month, supper is provided and babies are very welcome. For more information or to volunteer, please contact me directly on 027 4243476 or parentscentretaieri@gmail.com Talk soon I hope....... Love from Kim, Miss E and Mr T Feb/March 2016

$25 off for TPC members

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Taieri Parents Centre

Our Weekly Services

Feb/March 2016

Music & Movement Music and Movement classes aim to provide a fun and stimulating environment for your child to benefit through sound, movement and music and an opportunity for you to meet and socialise with other parents. The appropriate Music & Movement class for your child is dependent on your child’s level of confidence, stage of development and class numbers.

Jigglers Classes are held every Monday during school term. 9.30 – 10.00am: Little Jigglers (walkers) 10.00 – 10.30am:

Morning Tea

10.30 – 11.00am:Baby Jigglers (NB to crawlers) Music Gym Classes are held every Friday during school term.

9.30 – 10.15am: Music Gym (3 – 5yrs) 10.15 – 10.45am:

Morning Tea

10.45 - 11.15am Music Gym (2 1/2 - 3yrs) Parental participation is required in all classes. Current Taieri Parents Centre members: FREE Non-Members: $25 per term ($10 for each extra child enrolled) All enquiries: Donna Christensen 489-8360, dave.donna@vodafone.co.nz

Taieri Parents Centre

Feb/March 2016

Situations Vacant HEY YOU!!! YES, YOU reading this notice… can you help? These are the roles we currently have available on our committee and we would love to see them all filled. If you think you could be interested in one of the roles listed please contact Kim Timperley on 027 4243476 or parentscentretaieri@gmail.com

1. FUNDRAISING AND EVENTS CO-ORDINATOR – variable depending on the event Main organiser for events (with lots of support from other committee members), and keeping members informed about what is going on. Ensure activities and events are listed on Facebook; organising events (scheduling, booking venue, organising marketing etc.). You would not be on your own making these events happen, but would be the key person ‘in charge’, delegating and making sure nothing is overlooked. 2. TREASURERS ASSISTANT – as Treasurer needs Buddy and assist the treasurer with the day to day handling of monies and possibly paying bills. A good lead into the treasurer’s role. 3. ADVERTISING/SPONSORSHIP CO-ORDINATOR – approx. 1 hour each week (or less) Coordinator of advertising for our newsletter and liaising with the Publicity officer. You would be responsible for maintaining a register of newsletter advertisers; keeping in contact with advertisers regarding their ads and forwarding ads to the newsletter editor for each issue; passing billing information to the Treasurer; liaising with potential new advertisers; maintaining the membership discount scheme. 4.

SUBCOMMITTEES – these assist the main roles and usually take much less time

BUILDING HIRE SUBCOMMITTEE (~ 6 people or more) This would be best suited to any members living in Mosgiel but open to all members. The more people we get to help out the less each person has to do! Building hire manager will draw up a roster for the sub committee to help execute building hire checks during the weekend after parties (5-10 minute job) 

Taieri Parents Centre

SUBCOMMITTEES (Continued)  FUNDRAISING & EVENTS SUB-COMMITTEE Take ownership of a fundraising event or be part of a team helping to organize and man activities/events as they arise.  NEWSLETTER SUBCOMMITTEE Take ownership of a section of the newsletter - the recipes, an article or column and prepare that section for each issue. Or just liaise with the editor over what they need help with for each issue. Endless opportunities - as little or as much as you like!

NEW PROGRAMMES We want to start running the following programmes for our members but we need facilitators! 1. BABY AND YOU FACILITATOR Facilitator for the “Baby and You” programme for mums with babies age 0-3 months. You would be responsible for liaising with the CBE coordinator and speakers to schedule courses; marketing the courses appropriately; being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. This role is a great way to meet other mums. The course runs for 3 sessions approximately 5 times a year. 2. MOVING AND MUNCHING FACILITATOR Facilitator for the Moving and Munching programme for mums with babies aged 612 months. You would be responsible for liaising with speakers to schedule courses; marketing the courses appropriately; being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. This role is a great way to meet other mums. The course runs for 3 sessions approximately 4 times a year. 3. TINIES TO TOTS FACILITATOR Facilitator for the Tinies and Tots programme for mums with babies age 10 -18 months. You would be responsible for liaising with speakers to schedule courses, marketing the courses appropriately, being present at the sessions as a hostess and facilitator. The course will be run for 5 sessions 2 times a year.

Feb/March 2016

Taieri Parents Centre

Feb/March 2016

TPC Upcoming Events Bumps and Bubsâ&#x20AC;&#x201D; Outing to Mosgiel Library. Library staff will provide an overview of the Wriggle and Rhyme class they run and also offer the opportunity to enrol your child at the library Committee Meeting All members welcome, supper to follow meeting Taieri Parents Centre Week

Taieri Parents Centre

Thursday, February 11th 1:30 pm onwards Mosgiel Library Bring along photo ID and proof of address

Tuesday, March 1st, 7:30 pm

May 1stâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;6th More details to come!

Childbirth Education Classes

Mel Harkness 03 488 1955 tpccbe@gmail.com

Dates for 2016 March: 6, 12, 13 (fully booked, wait list only) April 2016: Open, please contact Mel for details

Feb/March 2016

Photo Competition “Slip, Slop, Slap, and Wrap”

Thank you to judge Rachel McNeill! 15

Taieri Parents Centre

Feb/March 2016

Taieri Parents Centre

The winner of each competition will receive a $25 voucher from Mosgiel New World and will be featured on the cover of the newsletter. To Enter: email your photo to tpceditor@gmail.com, entries must be received by March 19th!

Next photo competition theme: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Otago: Our Homeâ&#x20AC;? Feb/March 2016

My Experience With Post Natal Depression By Miranda Young

Before our son, Harrison, was born our obstetrician rated me as low risk for post natal depression. I am a process orientated and organised person who enjoys being in control: why on earth would he think I was low risk, I was having our first baby for goodness sake! I had decided to stay home for three months after Harrison was born. After he arrived I began a flurry of activities to keep me busy during the day (I do not enjoy sitting around â&#x20AC;&#x153;doing nothingâ&#x20AC;?) and educational programmes to teach me what to do with this new person I knew nothing about. This was on top of maintaining the house in its usual tidy state and generally being a domestic goddess. Harrison was a great sleeper and eater from day one: he was on a regular four hour cycle. And bottle feeding meant I could go to bed at 8pm and my husband could do the 11pm feed before Harrison woke me up at 3am for the next meal. In between feeds he simply slept. I was on a new parent high. My husband went back to work when Harrison was two weeks old, so I was flying solo during the day from then on. Harrison and I continued to keep busy to make the days pass quickly. I felt really happy and successful at my new job being a mother. When Harrison was six weeks old I was getting a bit tired and started trying to sleep when he did. I found it very hard to get to sleep during the day, and just as I drifted off it was time to get up again. For me, lack of sleep is a trigger to bad moods. Weeks of broken sleep was starting to take its toll. I had started looking at how tiny Harrison was and thinking how easy it would be to injure him. I truly understood how people can shake a baby just to stop them crying. Thankfully one molecule of reason was still in place so I never acted in a way to harm Harrison. When Harrison was seven weeks old I hit rock bottom. After another night of broken sleep I decided I had had enough. I tried to tell my husband how I was feeling over breakfast

Taieri Parents Centre

the next morning. He seemed not to listen. So I had it all planned out: how I was going to leave my husband and Harrison. When my husband left for work I was going to pack a bag for Harrison, drop him off at my husband’s work, turn my mobile off and just drive. But I had appointments to go to first. My first appointment was my CAPC coffee group. I walked in and burst into tears. This group of professional women have the most amazing support capacity. We traded tears, war stories and hope, and I left having decided to ask the Plunket Nurse, my next appointment, for a referral to a mental health worker. Alison from Plunket walked in, I burst into tears again, and she arranged for me to see my doctor immediately while she babysat. My doctor diagnosed me with severe depression. There is a scale that depression is assessed on and I scored very highly. My doctor explained how there was simply a chemical imbalance in my brain that was causing the depression and I was not a failure.

I kept

repeating this to myself over the next few weeks as I truly felt like a failure: I was not coping, and the thing I do best in life is cope. I was put onto anti-depressants immediately and my level of depression was so bad I was referred to the Mental Health Crisis Team. My doctor also called my husband and mother. Mum was planning to come over anyway as my husband had called her that morning. He had been listening after all! For the next few days I was not allowed to be left alone and had daily check-ins from the Crisis Team. My mother-in-law was due to arrive. Between her, Mum and my husband, Harrison was looked after and I was left to sleep and start to recover. I was warned the anti-depressants take a couple of weeks to kick in, and that they are not designed to give me a false high, they rebalance the chemicals in the brain and take me off the see-saw that is depression. Over the next couple of weeks a combination of support from family, friends and the public mental health service, combined with the anti-depressants, saw me balance out. A month later I was a different person. I was “normal”! Almost six months later I was back at full time work, the right place for me to be, still on anti-depressants, and feeling like my usual balanced and coping self. I still consider myself to have depression and to be in recovery, and I am very proud of myself to have had the courage to reach out for help and take it: this was the hardest part of all for me. I am now in a place where I love my husband again, think Harrison is the most wonderful baby in the world, and smile on a regular basis. I’m still on the see-saw, and now it’s fun having the ups and downs, and I know we’ll average out somewhere in the middle. It’s a good place to be.

Feb/March 2016

What can I do? Tell someone: The first and most important thing to do is to talk to someone who understands and can help you to get help. If you tell someone and they are no help then tell someone else until you find someone who is of help. Don’t accept the way you are at present: Don’t accept that this is the way you will continue to feel. Seek support and treatment from a professional. If you feel unable to do it on your own ask someone to go with you. Professional help does not necessarily mean medication. Medication does not mean failure or weakness. Try some of the ideas from www.mothersmatter.co.nz/Treatments/Selfcare. You may be too depressed to be able to do any of these things without professional help so seek that help. If you are able to manage some self care but don’t improve, then you probably need professional help. Don’t judge yourself: Stigma is an awful thing and unfortunately there is still a lot of stigma about mental illness. Often people are their own worst critic and judge. It is not your fault that you feel this way and it is not something to be ashamed of. What can happen? This depends a lot on how severe the depression is and what support a person has. Some women, especially those with less severe illness, can often get better without any formal treatment. Baby might start sleeping better, other stresses reduce, or the cloud lifts for no apparent reason. If this is going to happen, things will usually improve within six to eight weeks. Certainly if symptoms have gone on for more than a month or two, help should be sought. For some women and their families this can be a terrible time. It may seem like it will go on and on but fortunately it doesn’t. With the tiredness, slowness and heaviness of depression it can be very difficult to keep up with the demands of a baby and practical help is needed. Depression causes people to think negatively and sometimes this can lead to suicidal or hopeless thoughts. It is important not to be alone with these thoughts – help is needed urgently if someone has these thoughts. #

“I couldn’t see a way forward, it seemed hopeless, I felt trapped and wanted to escape and I couldn’t see any other way… I just wanted to die. Fortunately, I told a friend and found there was another way. It is hard to image the hope of spring in the middle of winter. “ Depression makes it hard to cope with a crying baby which can lead to irritability and even hostility. This can be directed at the baby or others. Marriages can be put under a lot of strain when one person has depression the other partner can get depressed as well. Some women will never suffer another episode in their lifetime but others can develop further episodes of depression, anxiety or bipolar disorder. Treatment There are different things that can help including: Self-cares. Infant cares, such as baby massage. Practical supports (paid and unpaid). Talking with supportive friends or family. Professional talking treatments. Medications.

A list of local support groups in Otago and Southland are available from the Mothers Matter website: www.mothersmatter.co.nz Alternatively, your local Plunket advisor, midwife, or GP may be qualified to help and refer you to proper treatment. Here at the Taieri Parents Centre, our goal is to provide support to all families and children at multiple stages of parenthood. If you believe you may be suffering from post natal depression or are feeling overwhelmed, confused, tired, and in need of help, please do not hesitate to seek assistance from us through one of our services or members. Remember, you are not alone!

Taieri Parents Centre

TPC Playgroup

Leap Trampoline Park

Feb/March 2016

Vinegar: The cheap nâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Easy Wonder Cleaner All Around the House 1. To remove stickers that have been used to "decorate" furniture and other surfaces, moisten with vinegar. Let sit for at least ten minutes, then remove. 2. For persistent room odours, place a bowl of vinegar in the room overnight. 3. For spills on carpet, use a sponge or cloth to soak up as much liquid as possible. Then spray with a mixture of half vinegar, half water. Let stand for about two minutes, then blot with towel or sponge. Repeat as needed. 4. For more persistent stains, use a mixture of 1 teaspoon vinegar, 1 teaspoon liquid dish soap, and 1 cup warm water. Proceed as suggested above. When finished cleaning, dry using a hairdryer set on low. 5. To clean windows, spray with half vinegar, half water. Wipe clean with either newspapers or cloth. 6. To clean silver, pewter, copper, or brass, dissolve 1 teaspoon salt in one cup vinegar. Add flour to create a paste (1/4 cup or more). Apply the paste to the metal item, and let stand for at least fifteen minutes. Rinse with warm water and polish with a soft cloth. 7. No-wax floors can be cleaned with a solution of 1 cup vinegar per gallon of water for a shinier surface. 8. To clean wood paneling, use a mixture of 1/2 cup olive oil, 1/2 cup vinegar, and 2 cups warm water. Apply to paneling with a soft cloth. Dry with a clean cloth. In the Bathroom 9. To remove corrosion or chemical build-up from showerheads, soak in vinegar overnight. 10. Remove stains from the toilet bowl by spraying with vinegar and spraying. 11. To remove soap build-up from faucets, clean with a mixture of 1 part salt to four parts vinegar. 12. Spray shower walls and shower curtain with vinegar to help prevent mildew.

In the Kitchen 13. To keep ants away, spray vinegar along doorways, windowsills, countertops - anywhere that ants are likely to appear. If you find an ant trail (path that ants use repeatedly), clean it with vinegar. 14. To remove odours from the sink, pour in a cup or more vinegar. Do not rinse out again for at least an hour. 15. For a clogged drain, first pour in 1/2 cup baking soda. Then add an equal amount of vinegar. When the mixture finishes bubbling, rinse with warm water. 16. Wipe your hands with vinegar after chopping. It will remove strong scents like onion and garlic, as well as stains from fruit juices. 17. To clean wooden cutting boards, wipe with vinegar. 18. Rinse jars with a half and half mixture of vinegar and water to remove garlic or other strong odours. Boil water with several spoons of vinegar to remove the smell of burnt food from your kitchen. 19. Vinegar is an excellent cleaner for all kitchen surfaces - counters, refrigerators, stovetops. 20. To clean your microwave oven, put a microwave-safe bowl of 1/2 cup vinegar and 1 cup water in the oven, and cook long enough to boil. In addition to removing any lingering smells, this will loosen any baked-on food from the microwave's walls. 21. To remove coffee or tea stains from china, clean with a mixture of vinegar and salt. In the Laundry 22. To keep colours from running in the wash, soak in vinegar before washing. 23. To decrease lint on clothing, add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle. 24. Many persistent stains can be removed with vinegar: coffee, chocolate, ketchup, jam, cola, wine. Gently rub stain with vinegar, then wash. 25. To make your "brights brighter", add 1/2 cup vinegar to the rinse cycle. 26. For fresher cloth diapers, add one cup distilled vinegar to the rinse cycle. This will break down uric acid and remove both lingering stains and scents. 27. To remove scorch marks from an iron, rub with a mixture of vinegar and salt. 28. To remove soap residue from the washing machine, run an empty (no laundry) cycle with one cup vinegar added. 29. To remove the smell of smoke from clothing, add a cup of vinegar to a tub of hot water. Let clothing hang in the same room for several hours

Feb/March 2016

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Taieri Parents Centre

Please ask in the cafe for our colouring in pack to keep the kids amused