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coffeegroup.org News - May 2009
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Hi Everyone!
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First and foremost, Happy Mother's Day!
For those of you who have recently given birth, welcome to the exclusive club of motherhood! If you're finding your new role isn't quite as you'd imagined and at times finding yourself spiralling towards despair, take comfort in the fact that you are not alone. Parenting is in fact the most challenging role you will ever embrace and anyone who tells you otherwise is in denial. The good news is that as your baby settles into longer sleeps over night, the exhaustion subsides, the brain fog lifts and you will feel empowered in the knowledge that you've made it through the toughest part - from here on in, you can cope with anything life throws in your path!
With each new milestone your precious babe reaches your heart will fill with joy, admiration, and pride to bursting point. Unbelieveable as it seems, that pride just continues to grow exponentially and these rewards never stop coming. To this day my mother tells me how proud she is of me and I truly believe that just as we take pleasure in our littlies reaching those oh so momentous milestones (smiling, crawling, talking, walking, etc.) we will continue to feel that glow in our hearts well into their adulthood as they move through various jobs and create their own families. They need not become an All Black or a Silver Fern, an inventor or an entrepreneur, an artist or a humanitarian. I believe that we will continue to be mesmerised at their achievements and be rewarded for the time and love in which we have enveloped them their entire lives.
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Mother's Day is dawning on a rather cold and wet autumn in New Zealand as we begin to distribute the May issue of our newsletter. Despite the less than shinging weather, I wish for each and everyone of you a wonderful day of pampering surrounded by your precious families. I will remain eternally grateful to my mother who has made countless sacrifices to give my brother and I a childhood she could only ever dream of and who to this day continues to give unselfishly and is always available in my times of despair (even if it means driving over in the pouring rain at one in the morning!). I also give thanks to my mother-in-law for the role she played in shaping my husbad into the kind, loving, caring, understanding and simply remarkable man that he is. And last but definitely not least, I feel incredibly blessed to have such an amazing daughter who's inner beauty provides the inspiration along my own journey of motherhood.
So without further delay, I shall leave you to celebrate all the wonderful mothers in your life - including yourself - and when you're ready to put your fee up and relax, I invite 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 some awesome products for your littlies from modern cloth nappies to potty training, as well as a 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!!
Appropriately, this month's articles serve as a celebration of motherhood. We examine the ups, the downs, the challenges, the frustrations and offer some comfort in that you are not alone on the roller coaster ride of motherhood whilst offering some sounds advice on how to gain some balance in your ever changing role:
If you are struggling with sleep issues, our Mother's Day gift to you is a selection of articles packed full of tips and suggestions to get your entire family sleeping better:
Finally, we take a look at Mother's Day, its origins and the different ways it it celebrated throughout the world:
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!
We all know the important role iron plays for our health and well-being - particularly for busy and often sleep deprived mothers!! And the most easily absorbed source of iron is lean beef and lamb. So why not feed your body and soul by celebrating this Mother's Day with a delicious iron-rich meal:
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!!
Will you be in Hamilton this weekend?
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For parents, caregivers and expectant parents the 2009 expo at Hamilton will provide jewels of information, up-to-the-minute products and valuable clues in the quest to achieving a happy and successful family life.
The two-day Child and Parenting Expo promises to showcase a kaleidoscope of the latest equipment and services for parents and children, a range of entertainment, plus educational ideas, toy selection, cots and even resources and sporting information for under 10’s.
Everything at the expo will be geared to parents and the family. There will be a free play area to re-invigorate toddlers, a private breast feeding area, a bottle warming station and nappy change area.
The Child and Parenting Expo will stage, under one roof, the most up-to-date initiatives in newborn and baby gear from trends in nappies, anti allergy clothing and boutique clothing to managing the terrible two tantrums, locating resources, learning about nutrition and checking important educational options..
coffeegroup.org is giving away a fabulous hamper worth over $550 - with entry limited to those attending the expo.
Don't miss out on this parenting extravaganza!
Date: 9th and 10th May 2009
Time: Saturday and Sunday, 10am - 4pm
Venue: Perry Tennis Arena, Dey Street, Hamilton East
Entry: $10 with a complimentary goodie bag for each adult, children under 12 free!
Click here for a printable flyer and your coupon for $2 off adult entry fee!
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May 2009 Giveaways:
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a copy of Still Standing
valued at $37
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a bottle of AllerZero
valued at $39.95
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a copy of Fortune Cookie
valued at $15
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a My Wee Friend Potty Training Kit
valued at $30
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a Modern Cloth Pocket Nappy
valued at $35
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a Mustela Stelaprotect Gift Pack valued at $140
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Congratulations to the Winners from our March 2009 Giveaways:
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A copy of Overheard by Mark Love and Jacqui Saunders from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Paula Rae (Whangarei) and Jonathan Persson (Tauranga)
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A copy of The Story of Science by Anna Claybourne and Adam Larkum from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Linda McPadden (Motueka) and Ruth Allen (Auckland)
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A copy of Wonderfully Wacky Families by Jackie French from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Erin Cooper (Tokoroa) and Kimberley Perkins (Porirua)
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A copy of Whale Pot Bay by Des Hunt from HarperCollins Publishers went to: Brian Fletcher (Paraparaumu) and Monica Kwok (Auckland)
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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 with her Nagymama
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