8th Feb

Child Care / First Education Options

To try and make your choice a little easier we are holding an evening with speakers from an in home child care, a child care centre and a preschool / montessori they will give you a run down on what they can all offer you and your children and how they all operate.

14 March

Boogie with a Bump

A baby developing in the womb can benefit from having a mother who dances and sings during pregnancy. Research shows that there are health benefits and developmental benefits for both mother and baby. European obstetricians use such techniques with pregnant women with excellent results. Tessa Grigg, from Tessarose Productions, has a background in music and movement and she has researched this topic. She would love to share what she knows with you.

11 April

Budgeting

Mark Williams will teach you how to budget with a new family from completely cutting down to one wage or managing on a smaller income and any questions you may have to tips you may have to share with others.

Heather Anderson, Community Relationships Representative with the IRD will also talk about Working for Families Tax Credits, Child Support, Paid Parental Leave, Student Loans and Kiwi Saver.  She will also address any issues or problems people may have with the IRD.

9 May

Toilet Training

Learn about: indicators of when your child is ready to begin toilet training and the process of toilet training.  Regardless if you have not yet started the toilet training process or have come unstuck and need ideas, come along with all your questions.

13 June

Mummy Guilt and Sleep Deprivation

Parenting specialist, author and Next Magazine Woman of the Year Finalist Kathryn Riley discuss’ how to have more time, energy and fun as a parent, including some of the following topics:  Overcoming 'Mummy Guilt', How to have 'me' time, Learning to say 'No', and helping families get organised.

11 July

Cranial Osteopathy

From one-day old infants and toddlers to teenagers, Christina Creek brings a wealth of experience not only in her osteopathic skills but also in her ability to relate to and manage any age e.g. managing an active or very shy toddler during treatment. This comes from many years of working with children, which is where her passion lies.

Topics covered will include how mechanical strains caused before birth or during the birth process can cause a baby to be unsettled (colic), have breastfeeding difficulties or even a neck strain. Other topics such as injuries and how repeated minor falls to a child affect the body framework which in turn can affect balance and co-ordination and the behaviour of the child and talk briefly on the benefits of osteopathy for children with ear infections or lingering coughs

15 August

Sibling Rivalry

Managing a baby and a toddler, Pat Penrose an authority on parenting issues will give you invaluable information for managing the step up to two (or more children), or dealing with the children you already have.

12 September

Caring for little feet

Juliann Simeonidis has been a podiatrist for 13 years with a specialist interest in Podopediatrics, or children’s foot problems.  She is a great believer in preventing problems and as many of our foot problems are inherited, parents need to be educated and aware of the normal milestones as well as the warning signals to watch out for when considering foot and lower limb development.

It is part of our bodies we need to cherish and consider a whole lot more than what we do, 40% of her practise involves children. There are many misconceptions out there for parents such as when to put children into shoes, what shoes are of benefit and when to seek help if you think there is a problem

10 October

Toilet Training

Learn about: Indicators of when your child is ready to be toilet trained and the process of toilet training. Whether you haven’t started the toilet training process or have come unstuck and need ideas come along with all your questions.