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coffeegroup.org News - March 2009
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Hi Everyone!
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Once again I must apologise for running a little behind in schedule with distributing the coffeegroup.org newsletter. We are still in the throes of transfering the data across from the old site to the new and just when we were in the groove and on track, we hit a major road block thanks to our ISP. Fortunately, most of you didn't experience any disruptions to the web site services and we are over-whelemed by the number of entries we have already received for the March giveaways. So if you haven't done so already, be sure to check out the latest prizes up for grabs and enter the draws.
Satine is now well and truly settled back into school and enjoying every minute of it! She has embraced school life with full gusto, having joined a variety of cultural groups and making lots of new friends along the way. When asked what she enjoys most about school, Satine replies with a grin from ear-to-ear: "I love ALL of it!". And who can blame her? Just a few short weeks into the term, the year 2 classes visited Howick Village. Childen, teachers and caregivers alike all stepped back into the 1800's kitted out in costumes and eager to learn about the differences between "then and now". By all counts, a great deal of fun was had by all - especially when the children were given the opportunity to play with a variety of toys from the past like stilts, diabolos and broomstick horses.
Of course, being the proud Mama that I am, I could wax lyrical about Satine's adventures. But in the interest of distributing our latest news to our members and supporters, I shall put my party-planner hat on, leaving you to grab a cuppa whilst digesting this month's articles, reviews, giveaways and recipes...
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 Satine in her 1800's costume |
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!!
With our daughter's birthday fast approaching, we once again turn our focus to children's birthday parties. Having attended countless children's parties in recent years (as well as organising six for Satine!) I'm feeling rather seasoned and considerably more relaxed about the process. For those of you who don't yet have the benefit of experience to guide you, the following articles based on my observations, along with sound advice from Paula Bannister, and Kate Ng's tips and pointers, you will feel both inspired and empowered to plan and execute successful and memorable birthday parties.:
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Daylight Savings finishes on the 5th April - are you and your littles prepared? We're certainly looking forward to our extra hour of sleep and based upon how tiring this school term has been, perhaps even Satine will make good use of it for the first time in her life. For those of you who's littlies are yet to acquire an appreciation for weekend sleep-ins, Louise Tanguay from The Sleep Store shares some great tips and suggestion on how to help your baby/toddler/pre-schooler adjust to putting the clocks back:
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The next set of articles are especially for those of you who are currently planning a pregnancy:
Congratulations to all of you who have recently discovered you are pregnant! Our final articles this month look at healthy nutrition during pregnancy, whilst Amanda Reid discusses the benefits of practising Yoga during pregnancy and Fleur Whalligan highlights the importance of nurturing your skin during pregnancy:
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!
Continuing with our theme of Children's Birthday Parties, this month's recipes are guaranteed to delight your guests and their parents!:
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!!
March 2009 Giveaways:
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a copy of Overheard
valued at $20
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a copy of The Story of Science
valued at $25
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a copy of Wonderfully Wacky Families
valued at $23
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a copy of Whale Pot Bay
valued at $19
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Congratulations to the Winners from our December 2008 Giveaways:
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A RADIESSENCE Limited Edition Summer Pack went to: Esther Cowell (Nelson), Marissa Hoyes (New Plymouth), Jenna Poole (Wellington), Helen Derbyshire (Auckland) and Rachel Cleave (Gisborne)
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A Simply Colors Gift Voucher went to: Peta Walsh (Wellington) and Jaimi Taylor (Christchurch)
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A copy of Emily and the Big Bad Bunyip by Jackie French and Bruce Whatley from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Beyza Haddock (Auckland) and Kriscinda Irvine (Upper Hutt)
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A copy of Grandma's Kiwi Christmas by Helen McKinlay from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Antony Warbrooke (Northland) and Fleur Scott (Auckland)
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A copy of Letters to a Bullied Girl by Olivia Gardner from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Catherine Brown (Auckland) and Brett Allcock (Otago)
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A copy of Magic Ballerina Book 1 by Darcey Bussell from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Beth Jolly (Hastings) and Michelle Huang (Hamilton)
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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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Satine at the Chinese Lantern Festival
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