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coffeegroup.org News - April 2009
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Hi Everyone!
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I am pleased to report that Satine's sixth birthday celebrations were a huge success. We began the day with an "Art Party" where Satine and six of her school friends spent a couple of hours in the clay studio creating sculptures . This was followed by a party at home for our friends and family during which we were blessed with gorgeous autumn weather. Whilst two parties on the same day may sound daunting even to Martha Stewart, I have to say it was all relatively stress-free to organise and allowed Satine to spend quality time with her friends as well as all the other people who play important roles in our lives. I have to say, I had an absolute ball making the birthday cake as well as individual cupcakes and personalised art shirts for the school friends to take home and keep. By far best of all, it was a pleasure to see Satine having such a wonderful time surrounded by the people who care about her. And weeks later she continues to express her gratitude.
This month we're changing down several gears: celebrating a quiet Easter at home with family and re-charging our batteries during the school holidays gearing up for term two. We are making the most of the mild weather before winter hits and enjoying the sandpit and trampoline. We are also nourishing our creativty through a variety of craft projects from painting to mosaics and sculpture with Satine eager to make me a number of Mother's Day gifts - bless her soul.
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Speaking of which... with Mother's Day fast approaching, we are running several giveaways to celebrate the special women in our lives - be sure to enter for your chance to win one of these fabulous prizes!!
And on that note, I shall return to our holiday fun and leave you to grab a cuppa and enjoy this month's articles, reviews, giveaways and recipes...
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Book / Product Reviews
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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 nifty little product for your littlies as well as variety of great books to keep the whole family entertained:
We are also giving you the opportunity to win some of these fabulous books and products - read on to find out how!!
Following on from last month's articles about health and nutrition during pregnancy, we now offer you sound advice about your maternity care choices in New Zealand:
For those who are already well into their pregnancy, we now shift our focus to helping you prepare for labour and birth:
You may have heard of (or even experienced) the third day blues - which generally occur on or around the third day following childbirth and are related to hormonal changes when the mother's milk comes in. This is perfectly normal and passes on its own. However, if the baby blues linger or return weeks or even months after childbirth, the mother could be suffering from either Postnatal Distress or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Our final articles this month explain these two conditions, the symptoms of each, and offer advice on what you can do to help yourself or a friend/relative you suspect may have lingering emotional issues following childbirth:
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!
Young babies and toddlers need plenty of iron in their diets to ensure healthy mental and physical development. In fact, babies aged 7-12 months need more iron than a grown man! Here are some great iron-rich recipes for the whole family to enjoy and help encourage your baby or toddler to eat lean beef and lamb - both are great sources of iron our bodies can use easily:
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!!
Mother's Day Giveaways:
Celebrate an important mother in your life - your mother, wife, sister, daughter, aunt, cousin, friend, partner, or even yourself - by winning one of these fabulous prizes we are giving away for Mother's Day...
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a Photography Package
valued at $500
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a "Corazon" Baby Sling
valued at $69
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a Beauty Therapy Gift Voucher
valued at $50
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April 2009 Giveaways:
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two Tiny Tethers
valued at $30
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a copy of The Great Life Makeover
valued at $40
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a copy of Wearing the Poppy
valued at $20
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a copy of The Runaway Settlers
valued at $20
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Congratulations to the Winners from our January/February 2009 Giveaways:
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A copy of Divine by Michelle Holman from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Betty Davie (Whakatane) and Charisa Lockley (Upper Hutt)
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A copy of Love, Splat by Rob Scotton from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Stepanka Sabrsula (Auckland) and Giselle Walker (Fielding)
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A copy of The Necklace by Cheryl Jarvis from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Carrie James (Auckland) and Susan Howells (Napier)
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A copy of The New Zealand Pregnancy Book by Sue Pullon and Cheryl Benn from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Rosalind Groves (Queenstown) and Rebekah Taylor (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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