Parenting - Upcoming Events

Centre for Attachment - together with the Families Commission, Parents Centres New Zealand, Great Potentials and the Parenting Council - is proud to announce a 28 November 2008 conference on motherhood: The Meaning of Motherhood: Maternal Love, Modern Culture and the Essence of Fami

Motherhood, despite being perhaps the most foundational and influential force in our lives, is an often overlooked concept when it comes to political discussion, child development, or the meaning of work. Now, for the first time, a conference is being devoted to this topic.

This conference aims to enliven the myriad of perspectives and feelings behind the institution of motherhood, while simultaneously connecting the voices of mothers and the dots of policy.

Our keynote speakers, Naomi Stadlen from London and Anne Manne from Melbourne, will speak to the themes of ‘Mothers Talking’ and ‘Mothers Questioning.’

Anne & Naomi will discuss the material of their books, as well as the energy that occurs when mothers can be brought together in discussion - not division - and the subsequent change that can occur on a societal level when we begin to question while maintaining that forged connection.

Additional morning plenary - ‘Mothers Listening’ - with Lauren Porter and afternoon plenary - ‘In Defence of Mothering’ - with Elisabeth Muir. Afternoon sessions feature workshops with Carrie Cornsweet Barber, Vicki Culling, Irene deHaan, Simone Degiorgio, Pauline Hopa, Jocelyn Johnstone, Ella Kahu, David Tipene Leach, Ruth Martis, Barbara Sturmfels & Claire Wright. Participants will get a choice of two.

The event will be held at the AUT Tech Park Conference Centre in Auckland. In addition to the main hall, there will be a conference room with real-time video and audio broadcast so that mothers/caregivers attending with babies or small children can participate without worry.We look forward to an enriching and enlivening day.