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coffeegroup.org News - January / February 2009
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Hi Everyone!
Like so many babies, our first newsletter for 2009 is slightly overdue. But as parents, we all know that we can't rush the development of our babies. You see, whilst many of you have been holidaying, coffeegroup.org has undergone a huge developmental leap and we are now ready to unveil our new and improved web site!!
Those of you who are active on the forums and regular visitors to coffeegroup.org will have already had a sneak preview of the new web site. Your feedback has been amazing thus far and we were able to deal with a couple of minor teething issues without too much disruption.
Due to the nature of the technological advancement, we are having to manually transfer all the data across from the old web site to the new one. As you can appreciate, the process of moving our database of over 400 articles, 200 recipes and 150 book and product reviews is incredibly time consuming and very much a work still in progress! So if there is something in particular that you are unable to locate, please let us know so that we can assist you. We thank you for your patience as we complete the final stages of the move.
The first thing that will strike you immediately is coffeegroup.org's fresh new look. But what else has changed?
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In short, we have made the web site even more interactive than previously. You can now:
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Quickly and easily perform a search on any topic across the entire web site by typing a word or phrase in the search box which is located towards the right and immediately below the header of every page
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Up-load and edit your own recipes, stories and articles and the forms to do all this are easily accessible from the respective sections in which you wish to manage your own content or from the user menu which appears at the top of the navigational menu on the left hand side of the pages whilst you are logged in
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Interact easier with other members and experts, express your opinions alongside the official book/product reviews, and share articles/stories/recipes with your family and friends via quick links and simple forms that recognise you when signed in
But this is just the beginning. Over the coming months we will be introducing a number of new features and resources to entertain and assist you along your journey through parenthood.
So without further adieu, I invite you to grab a cuppa and check out the enhancements and latest additions to all the features you have come to love...
The aim of the Book / Product Reviews section is to share books, products and services available to New Zealand families and to provide our members with the opportunity to add their own ratings and reviews. This month we review a variety of great books to keep the whole family entertained:
We are also giving you the opportunity to win these fabulous products - read on to find out how!!
Love is in the air and to celebrate we examine the health benefits of love, the languages of love, and offer advice on improving intimacy with your spouse and tips on fostering your relationship with your child:
With the start of the new school year upon us, we shift our focus to School and Learning. To begin with, we share with you valuable tips and pointers on helping your child settle into Kindergarten and/or School. We also take a look at developing a love for Reading, the various Learning Styles and Boy/Girl Differences in School Achievement:
For those who are only just beginning to look at your choices in Early Childhood Education (ECE) for your littlies, the following articles outline your options, offer you advice on how to choose the most appropriate ECE for your child, and offer advice on helping them settle in:
Our final set of articles this month will answer all your questions about choosing a school for your child and what to expect during their early years of education:
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Simply Colors Personalised Clothing for Children and Babies
Simply Colors offers a top-quality European line of 'essentials' for babies and children up to 10 years of age including: bodysuits, tee shirts, polo shirts, rugby jerseys, hooded sweaters, singlets, dresses and pyjamas - all of which can be made 'unique' with customised printing.
Especially for coffeegroup.org members Simply Colors are offering a 20% discount on your whole order! Click here to find out more!!
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You often hear it said that parenting is the most challenging and yet the most rewarding job in the world. Babies don't come with "how to" guides. There's no "right" or "wrong" way and we all learn through trial and error. The best advice I ever received - and one that I pass on to others - is to trust your own instincts and do what feels right for you and your situation.
As new parents we are bombarded with well-meaning (but often unwelcome) advice from family, friends and even strangers! Where do you turn to when conflicting advice leaves you doubting your own intuition? This is where our Expert Advice Columns may help and our team of NZ experts are available to answer your questions from pregnancy through to parenting and relationships.
Growing Concerns
Eleanor Gates (MMid (Hons) RN RM and Independent Midwife) answers your pregnancy and childbirth related questions:
Oh Baby
Kathy Fray (Midwife, Author and mother of three) provides practical advice from mother-to-mother about those early days of motherhood:
Parent to Parent
Kate Ng (Dip. Teaching (ECE), former Enrolled Nurse and mother of four) gives you practical solutions and ideas when dealing with behavioural issues and answers your concerns about what is normal development:
Peace of Mind
Susan Goldstiver (Counsellor and Psychotherapist) addresses relationships, communication, mental / emotional well-being, struggles and stresses:
Have you had a chance to sign in and introduce yourself on the Coffee Groups Discussion Forums?
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These forums have been created especially for our members so that you can discuss what's on your mind, share your experiences, benefit from the support of other parents throughout New Zealand and make some friends along the way.
They are also a great place to meet new people in your area. Perhaps you're new to New Zealand or recently moved to a new city. Maybe your friends are not at the same stage of parenting as you or your coffee group hasn't worked out. Here's your chance to meet local parents - eager to make new friends and possibly even start a coffee/walking group!!
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Why don't you sign in and join a discussion topic - or start a new post about something concerning you? Chances are, you're not alone in your experiences!
With summer still very much here to stay, we share with you a variety of delectable barbeque ideas:
Visit the Cook's Corner page for more tempting recipes.
The coffeegroup.org Events / What's On section is devoted to "what's on" throughout New Zealand: from parenting courses and pre-school classes to community, sports and recreation events.
But wait, there's more!! As a member of the coffeegroup.org community, you now have the ability to upload and maintain your own listings so that you can notify the whole of New Zealand about your community-based, family oriented activities completely free of charge!!
February 2009 Giveaways:
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Click here to go in the draw to win
a copy of Divine
valued at $27
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Click here to go in the draw to win
a copy of The Necklace
valued at $30
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Click here to go in the draw to win
a copy of Love, Splat
valued at $26
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Click here to go in the draw to win
a copy of The NZ Pregnancy Book
valued at $55
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Congratulations to the Winners from our November 2008 Giveaways:
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A Made4Baby Bubbles! Bubbles! Bubble Bath and All Over Body Lotion went to: Robyn James (Christchurch) and Marilyn Kenworthy (Waitakere)
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Two Umbrella Baby Stroller Umbrellas went to: Tui Edmonds (Hamilton) and Maria Williamson (Auckland)
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A copy of Baby Secrets by Jo Tantum and Barbara Want went to: Suzy Draffin (Dunedin) and Colleen Hansen (Wellington)
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A copy of Kaimanawa Princess by Dianne Haworth from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Kerrie Elle (Upper Hutt) and Theresa Paget (Christchurch)
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A copy of The Swinging Sixties by Graham Hutchins from HarperCollins Publisherswent to: Gareth Lauchlan (Waitakere) and Margaret Le Roux (Nelson)
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A copy of We Bought a Zoo by Benjamin Mee from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Simonne Goodall (Wellington) and Sarah Kelly (New Plymouth)
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A copy of Willy's Grandpa by Scott Tulloch from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Drew Thomas (Blenheim) and Alison Shaw (Rolleston)
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Once again, if you have any comments or suggestions, please send them my way - I value your feedback and will do my best to provide you with articles, resources, and web site features which you will find useful and entertaining.
I would also like to thank our advertisers without whom this web site would not be possible. Please support them by following their links and finding out more about the fantastic products and services they have to offer.
Till next time, happy parenting!!
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