Kiwiparent Issue #298 by Parents Centres New Zealand Inc

RRP $7.50 (incl GST)

SUPPORTING PARENTS THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS

NOVEMBER â&#x20AC;&#x201C; DECEMBER 2020

Meet the Huggies cover stars

Introducing the winners of the 2020 coverstar competition

Babies are brilliant! Learning baby sign language

Your home, your choice Birthing at home has many advantages

Preschool in a pandemic

Choosing an ECE centre that suits your wha-nau

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

298

ANTENATAL CLASSES Parents Centre is a not-for-profit organisation providing parents with information and skills for their transition to parenthood. We are offering online classes in Mandarin & Cantonese.

中文, 准妈妈孕期课程汉密尔顿

- Pregnancy comfort - Labour journey - Understanding your rights - Feeding and meeting your baby’s needs - Transition to parenthood - Practical parenting

Parents Centre’s expertly facilitated programmes will be offered both face to face and online and will be facilitated to ensure the classes aren’t one-way information or just a lecture, they will still be interactive, engaging and fun and we will still create your coffee group! 父母中心所提供的专业产前课程是具有大量有趣的内容, 活跃的授课氛围及大量的互动.

Mandarin-Cantonese-English Speaking Classes Contact: - midwifeamanda@hotmail.com

www.parentscentre.org.nz

s clas ge” e v i ua at form wn lang n i y “ver in our o t to ially men c n e o p r vi es ere fe en they w a s to as a ns & “It w questio sponded ask ys re lly” alwa spectfu re

Subscribe & win

Subscribe or renew your subscription to Kiwiparent and go in the draw to WIN a Philips AVENT 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker valued at RRP $329.99! 1 yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s subscription to Kiwiparent (6 issues) is only $45 delivered to your door.

Visit z n . o c . t n e r a p i kiw be i r c s b to su

N I W S THI

Effortlessly steam, blend and serve healthy homemade baby meals with the Philips Avent 4-in-1 Healthy Baby Food Maker. Terms & conditions: Subscribers must be New Zealand residents. Offer ends midnight 29 December, 2020. Only one entry to prize draw per subscriber. Gift not redeemable for cash. Random winner drawn and contacted by Parents Centre NZ Inc. Kiwiparent is the magazine of Parents Centre New Zealand Inc. The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa 1

Cover photo: Winner of this year’s coverstar competition Stephanie Tumai, with baby Arlo and his proud nana, Alison.

Features

In this issue

You did a great job!

Letters to the editor....................................................... 4

Winner of the Huggies photo competition 2020.....8–9

Finally the fog lifted Stephanie Tumai...........................................................10–12

Babies are brilliant! Kirsty Stone....................................................................14–19

Your home, your choice

Breastfeeding hormones help dads Sean Flaherty................................................................34–38

Parents Centre pages............................................39–43 Find a Centre...................................................................44

Lala McCarthy................................................................20–23

Find out about Parents Centre..............................45

A different journey from the one we anticipated

A picture paints a thousand words

Lucie Chapman.............................................................24–27

New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults.........................................................54–57

Giving consumers a voice

Decorating to suit all the family

The Aotearoa Midwifery Project.............................28–29

Resene creative team.................................................58–63

Educating and empowering wha-nau

Gifts from the kitchen

Sharron Trousdell.................................................................30

Chelsea Sugar................................................................70–75

Learning from lockdown

Winners from the last issue.....................................76

Judge Andrew Becroft, Children’s Commissioner............................................32–33

Our partners..............................................................78–79

Preschool in a pandemic

Giveaways..........................................................................80

Fiona Hughes.................................................................46–49

Swim for your life Phil Waggott..................................................................50–52

Never too young for science Rachel Rohloff...............................................................64–69

Product pages................................................................6–7

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SUPPORTING PARENTS THROUGH THE EARLY YEARS

NOVEMBER – DECEMBER 2020

298

Kia ora, nga- mihi ki a koutou

Babies are brilliant! | pages 14–19 Baby signing is when families use gestures or signs to emphasise key words while speaking to their baby. When baby is able, they can communicate using these signs. This provides the child with a way of letting caregivers know what they want, how they are feeling or things they have observed.

Your home, your choice | pages 20–23 Home birthing has become more popular, particularly during 2020, when lockdown restrictions at maternity wards prompted many women to look for other options. And it has some significant advantages – from the little things like having your own bed and shower, to more practical things like potentially not needing to organise childcare for other children.

Breastfeeding hormones help dads | pages 34–38 Fathers of new babies can be forgiven for feeling a little hormonal – a recent study has shown they are being flooded by the same chemical as a breastfeeding mother. In the mother this hormone activates lactation so they can breastfeed. But in the father it makes him a more connected dad.

Kiwiparent. The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa. Since 1954. Editor Leigh Bredenkamp Ph (04) 472 1193 Mobile (0274) 572 821 leighb@e–borne.co.nz PO Box 28115, Kelburn, Wellington 6150

Editorial enquiries Ph (04) 233 2022 info@parentscentre.org.nz

Advertising sales Catherine Short Ph (04) 233 2022 info@parentscentre.org.nz

Design Hannah Faulke edendesign.nz

Proofing Alison Lipski

Printer Caxton Design and Print

Subscriptions info@parentscentre.org.nz

www.kiwiparent.co.nz

Publisher Parents Centre Aotearoa Ph (04) 233 2022

Kiwiparent is a publication of Parents Centre Aotearoa and reflects the philosophy and values of the organisation. Information contained in the articles is consistent with our transition to parenting programmes provided through our 52 locations. Articles published in this magazine may be reproduced providing they are used for noncommercial purposes and written permission has been provided by Parents Centre.

This time 24 years ago, almost to the day, I wrote my first editorial for Kiwiparent. I had just attended the 1996 annual Parents Centre conference in Napier and was taking up the position as Editor. Back then, the magazine comprised 52 pages and the lead article tackled the challenges of returning to the workforce. At that time, I would produce the whole magazine from my home office (bedroom), burn it onto zip files (the precursor to CDs) and drive the package to the airport to be couriered to Christchurch for printing. I am proud of the topics we have covered over the years. Through the pages of the magazine, we have embraced family diversity – same-sex couples, mixed race and cultural combinations, surrogacy, adoption and transgender issues. We’ve covered elections, lobbied for improved paid parental leave, and argued for the repeal of section 59 (the part of the Crimes Act which allowed parents who were arrested for assaulting their children to claim the assault was justifiable discipline). We have written about joyous and humorous parenting topics, but also tackled tricky issues like baby loss, divorce and separation, infertility, parenting with a disability and having children with disabilities. Looking back over past issues reminds me that we produced Kiwiparent through challenging periods in our history – times of national emergency like earthquakes, fires, storms, terror attacks and even pandemics (thank you COVID-19). Through all this time, what sticks out for me most is the people I have met and worked alongside as I have edited 144 issues of Kiwiparent. The writers, advertising managers, designers, proofers, advertisers and photographers have all helped shape the pages and I am deeply grateful for their input. Then there are the extraordinary Parents Centre people I have met – Chris Cole Catley, Helen Brew, Marie Bell, Nancy Sutherland, Mary Dobbie and Sharron Cole are just a few who come to mind. They and others were all generous with their time and knowledge and I am privileged to have known them. Most of all, I am indebted to every reader, especially those who wrote, texted, emailed, sent in photos, stopped me in the street or invited me to their Centres. There is no magazine without readers, and I have cherished every contact I have had with you all. As I sign off, I wish Kiwiparent and Parents Centre all the best moving forward – I believe the early years are a wondrous time and that parenting really is everything! He aha te mea nui o te ao? He ta-ngata, he ta-ngata, he ta-ngata.

What is the most important thing in the world? It is people, it is people, it is people. Aroha nui, Leigh Bredenkamp

ISSN 1173–7638 The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Letters

to the editor

Top Letter

Congratulations to the Top Letter winner, Lesley McLeod from Tauranga, who will win a prize pack from Natural Instinct.

Top Letter prize The winning letter receives the complete Natural Instinct face care range, truly natural skincare products with active anti-ageing plant-based ingredients and 100% free from over 400 potentially harmful ingredients to you and the environment. Available from leading pharmacies. RRP $102.

Latching on with Tauranga Parents Centre As we all know, the pandemic has made organising events a little more interesting this year. The 2020 International Big Latch On was a virtual event – the plan was for mums to Zoom in and feed. But at Tauranga Parents Centre we decided to open our doors as we were at COVID-19 Alert Level 1 and it turned out to be an amazing event. Nine super mums visited us with a great mix of first-time mums and those who were experienced hands. The focus for World Breastfeeding Week this year was on the impact of infant feeding on the environment and on climate change, and the imperative to protect, promote and support breastfeeding for the health of the planet and its people. A massive thank you to the generous spot prize sponsors and to our amazing Childbirth Educators who came to support us. Lesley McLeod Tauranga Parents Centre

Photo: (top left) Meet Hannah and handsome Lucas – they won the Philips Avent manual breast pump and accessories spot prize at the Tauranga Parents Centre Big Latch On. Hannah is heading back to work soon and had been looking at options for pumping and milk storage. This spot prize definitely found the right home!

Conscious parenting – want to know more? Check out upcoming programmes at your local Parents Centre: www.parentscentre.org.nz Browse through the resources here: www.skip.org.nz Join ‘Conscious Parenting’ pages and groups on Facebook online and read, read, read! 4Research kiwiparent

are you baby ready?

Challenging the outdated White Ribbon Day 25 November

In an unprecedented national emergency, everyone found themselves cooped up for the COVID-19 lockdown period – and this became a huge risk for families with a history of domestic violence. This year’s White Ribbon annual campaign promotes respectful relationships to prevent men’s violence against women. The campaign focuses on the advice men have been given when growing up that we now know is unhealthy. We believe respectful relationships are built on equality between women and men, the effective use of non-violent communication, flexible gender behaviour for men and women and respectful sexual relationships, which includes consent. When we say things like “show them who’s boss”, or “kids should keep quiet” it puts limits on how children interact with their world and how they develop their relationships. Many men who grow up hearing these things end up copying unhealthy attitudes and behaviours – even if they don’t like or agree with them. So how do we change it? In all of our relationships – wha-nau, friends, colleagues – we can challenge the outdated stereotypes of what it means to be a man. We can role model healthy relationships and focus on strength that comes from a kaupapa of respect and aroha. We can call each other out and encourage more ko-rero about gender equality. By challenging each other in constructive ways we become stronger, and support change for those who need it the most. To find out more about White Ribbon events in your community, visit: www.whiteribbon.org.nz  Rob McCann, White Ribbon Manager

ADVANCED nappy disposal system Powered by Sangenic

Cot constructed. Nappies stacked. You’re ready for anything…right? How about when those nappies get filled? Are you prepared for the smellier side of parenting? The new stylish Twist and Click is the only nappy bin to twist and wrap each nappy for unbeatable odour block.

The only bin that individually seals each nappy for unbeatable odour-block Anti-bacterial film kills 99% of germs On trend colours to suit every home Refill made from 98% recycled plastic

tommeetippee.co.nz The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Product

information

Toddler bath by Shnuggle The Shnuggle Toddler Bath is the perfect follow-on for when baby outgrows their first bath – allowing your little one to continue enjoying bath time in their own comfy space while saving time and water filling the family bathtub. Designed to fit most shower trays and baths, the bath is compact but with plenty of room to play and grow. Uniquely designed to provide confidence and comfort, the toddler bath features a contoured base offering a more natural sitting position, grippy surface for reassurance and padded backrest for extra warmth and support. The handy plug allows you to empty or refresh the water quickly and the water fill line indicator helps minimise water used. Recommended for use when baby has outgrown their baby bath and is confidently sitting. RRP $109.99. www.babyonthemove.co.nz

Learn to swim with SplashSave The SplashSave Pack gives you all the tools you need to teach your child to swim. Water safety and swimming is one of the most important skills a child needs to stay safe and enjoy growing up in New Zealand. Parents should take the lead on teaching their child to swim, from baby’s first bath through to five years old. Not only is teaching your own child water safety and swimming easy to do (whatever your own swimming skills), it is great fun too! Take action today and make sure your child is one of the lucky ones who is taught to swim. F ull-colour illustrated book packed with fun ideas and games to help you teach swimming and water safety to your child. W aterproof lesson plans to use in the bath or at the pool to remind you of the lessons and games. F un certificates for your child as they master each water safety skill. www.splashsave.co.nz

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Parents Centre members quote PCNZ for a 30% discount

The Crane Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump Value, ease and efficiency all in one! The new Crane Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump is getting amazing five-star reviews. If you’ve been hunting for the best new breast pump, then chances are this is high on your must-have list. Express your milk efficiently in whisper quiet comfort and save time with double-sided pumping. The portable and compact design gives you the flexibility to pump at home or on the go, with dual motors providing hospitallevel pump performance. You can control suction strength levels separately for each breast with simple touch controls. The easy-to-assemble milk collection kit has a soft silicone breast cushion that is easy to clean. Adjustable modes help to stimulate milk let down, while gently massaging and squeezing the breast and nipple. If you take a break, the pause function will pick up where you left off and the 30-minute count-up timer with alarm clock will remind you of your next session.

Each boxed pump includes: milk collection kit x2 wide neck bottle kit x2 pump motor unit power adapter manual and breastfeeding tips tubing and connectors Now available online at The Sleep Store. RRP $369.95. www.thesleepstore.co.nz 

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

You did

a great job!

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The response to this year’s Huggies Kiwiparent photo competition was heart-warming. A huge THANK YOU to everyone – mums, dads and bubs alike, for their time and enthusiasm in sharing their special moments with us. We received over 1,400 entries but, sadly, we knew there could be only one winner. This year, to celebrate Huggies’ new campaign ‘Be Comfortable in Your Skin’, we simply asked readers to tell us their approach to parenting their way, and send us an accompanying photo of them with their child. We received countless inspiring stories of how you felt you were parenting the right way for your own child. Huggies believes if your baby is healthy and happy, you’re doing a great job and so we wanted to celebrate the everyday moments where you were ‘comfortable in your own skin’ as a parent. Finally, after a really tough job selecting from so many amazing entries, the judges decided. The winning entry came from Stephanie Tumai from Whanganui. Stephanie wrote: “My approach to parenting has changed. I didn’t know what sort of mum I would be, but during my first few months I was suffering from PND, so I was a very stressed mum. But as I’ve recovered, I’ve found my real mum instincts … My attitude is that he is a kid – if he’s smiling, laughing and healthy then I am doing great!” We were impressed by Stephanie’s courage and determination as she worked hard to overcome her depression and become the best mum possible to Arlo. You can read more about Stephanie and her mothering journey on pages 10–12. To Stephanie, Bronson and Arlo, huge congrats! And to everyone who shared their wonderful experiences with us, we wish you well and hope that you are always confident and well supported in your parenting decisions. From the team at HUGGIES® and Kiwiparent

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Finally,

the fog lifted

Winner of the 2020 Huggies photo competition Stephanie Tumai shares her early parenting journey as she recovered from a traumatic birth, came to terms with her postnatal depression and finally found her real mum instincts. Ka pai Stephanie, you are an awesome mum! Reflecting on my pregnancy, with this being my first baby, I didn’t appreciate how much small things would count. My first and second midwife choices both decided to leave midwifery for different reasons. One moved away from Whanganui and the second left very suddenly just six weeks before my baby was due. This was very stressful, and I was desperate for someone to come to the rescue. Our local hospital said we would just get who was on shift and that was that. But one midwife tried her hardest to help lots of women in the same position as me, and she came to our rescue. To be honest, I did not warm to her at first, soon she became my hero! Paula was her name – she was a tough lady who was very matter of fact about birth! Arlo was late, as I understand many first-born babies are. I was 41 weeks when, on the Saturday night around 7pm on 1 June, my waters broke. Straight away I rang Paula, but the call went to her backup – I’d forgotten she had taken the weekend off! In our heads it was like OMG here we go! It all ramped up overnight and I had lots of contractions, but they went away after a while when we were at the hospital. We were sent home twice as the contractions kept

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stopping. Finally, when we reached the Monday evening at 9pm I told my husband, Bronson, that I couldn’t go on anymore. I had not slept since the Friday night and I was in too much pain.

Back to the hospital We went back to the hospital and I begged for the epidural. Thankfully, Paula arrived and I had the epidural, but I reacted badly to it, which meant both my and Arlo’s heart rates dropped. Bronson was told to get out of the way – he was very upset as he didn’t understand what was happening. We snatched a few hours’ sleep after all the drama. During the early morning, they tried a drug to help with labour but it just made Arlo’s heart rate drop again and we decided as a team to stop using it. It was now Tuesday morning and still no baby! The doctors suggested trying to induce labour again, but we refused and asked instead for a caesarean section. Paula was with us and on our side the whole time. We waited for the new doctor to come on shift – and he also became one of our heroes. Kind, calm and loving, he said, “This has gone on far too long… We are going to theatre.” I’m forever grateful to have had him perform my caesarean. Finally, at 9.42am my baby was born on 4 June. We found out he was 9.1 pounds – a big, big boy! The anaesthetist came into the ward when I was stitched up to say he had made an error with my epidural, which meant I was bedridden and couldn’t move for four days. I couldn’t do anything – I was so angry. I had to have another epidural and blood patch. I missed so much quality time in those first days because of this. I just wanted to go home.

To start with, I loved Arlo, but didn’t get him. Eventually this changed.

I couldn’t sleep Days passed after I got home, and I couldn’t sleep. Nightmares and panic attacks set in. I felt like I could do everything – but also nothing. I was so angry when, after a few weeks, Paula said she thought I had postnatal depression. I cried to my Mum, but in my heart I knew Paula was right. Once I accepted that I had postnatal depression, I went out of my way to ensure I got all the help that was available. I kept going back to doctors and nurses and the hospital until I got what I needed. Thank god for Paula, Chan (my Plunket nurse) and Jhena (my Plunket support worker). These amazing ladies got me through. My parents and Bronson were also wonderful. They would sit with me and talk – or just sit. They had no reason to be there other than to just be with me and Arlo. Apart from love. The hospital assigned me doctors and counsellors and wow – what superstars! I really wanted to get better so I took everything they offered me. The key for me was the correct medication, calming thoughts and understanding my own diagnosis. The Whanganui Maternal Mental Health team were saviours who made it easy to grasp what was happening in my brain.

I started to feel like myself again Seven weeks after his birth the fog was gradually lifting, but I felt like I’d missed so much of Arlo’s early life. Finally, when he was about three or four months old, I started feeling like myself again. I could go outside for walks and leave him with people without panic having attacks and other odd feelings. To start with, I loved Arlo, but didn’t get him. Eventually this changed. Routines helped me get through my hard times. Get up. Get dressed.

It also helped me to know that I was doing everything I could to get better, as well as taking medications to help my brain heal. My doctor explained that my brain had been through trauma and it needed time to heal and just be loved. The medicine helped, but I had to learn to be kind to myself too. She described my brain as being like a plant whose branches had been broken – we needed to fertilise it and water it to help it grow healthily again.

Shower at night. Drink sleepy tea. Feed Arlo every four hours – he had routines too.

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The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

It hurt so much Those four months of my life were the worst I’d ever experienced. I hated that this happened to me – and my son – and my family. I was so embarrassed and thought everyone would know I’d failed and was terrible at being a mum. It hurt so much. I remember telling my dad that it hurt so badly. It hurt my chest and I felt heavy and sore. I questioned everything and I never thought I was doing well. I kept going because I wanted to believe it would be better one day. I couldn’t see it, but people kept saying that things would improve. The fog, the tears and the pain – this was not what I thought motherhood would be. Arlo deserved better. But Paula, Chan, Jhenna and the Whangarei Maternal Mental Health workers were my medical team and my warriors. My amazing husband and my mum and dad were the ones who showed me my progress and helped me every step of the way. And Arlo – my hero! My son! He was just so understanding; he was the perfect baby and has the most beautiful personality. I would never have made it if I didn’t have my team around to support me. But I also know that, in the end, I was the one who made it happen. I knew I had support and people to help and I took advantage of this. I can’t imagine how hard it is for those poor women who have nobody to help or to turn to.

When the fog lifted Finally the fog lifted and I remember thinking one day OMG I love Arlo. I love him so much. It was so beautiful to love him. I finally understood that feeling people talk about, that rush of love when they first hold their baby. The only difference is that I felt it months after Arlo was born.

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One year on, I no longer need sleeping pills. I slowly stopped my anti-depressants; this took two attempts as there were harsh withdrawal effects. But now I am medicine free and feeling normal. Good and bad days like anyone else, but my emotions are manageable, and my sleep patterns are amazing. Looking back, routine was such a key element in my life and helped me to cope. Routine for me. Routine for Arlo. This was advice from my mum and thank goodness she shared this with me as it helped me understand my baby and learn how to cope. 

Looking for support? Parents Centre www.parentscentre.org.nz Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor Perinatal Anxiety & Depression Aotearoa www.pada.nz Health Navigator www.healthnavigator.org.nz Mothers Helpers www.mothershelpers.co.nz Depression Helpline 0800 111 757 Healthline 0800 611 116 Lifeline 0800 543 35 Samaritans 0800 726 666

your hugs.

Whatever touches their skin, should feel as gentle as

Every baby is different, but there’s one thing they all have in common. Their skin is up to 10x thinner than adults. That’s why we’ve designed HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies. HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies are our driest and most breathable, to provide our best care for your baby’s delicate skin. It’s the hug that looks after their skin while they wear it. HUGGIES® Newborn Nappies are clinically proven to help prevent nappy rash, quickly absorb runny poos and have the same trusted absorbency and protection that you expect from all HUGGIES® Nappies. There’s nothing like a hug. ®/TM Trademarks of Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. or its affiliates. ©KCWW. ©Disney

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

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Babies are

brilliant! Signing with your baby

Babies are amazing! Right from when they are born, they instinctively try to communicate with us. In those early days, their main communication tool is crying, and it can be surprising to any inexperienced parent just how wide ranging the cries can be in terms of intensity and volume! Unfortunately, this type of communication is based on when they are unhappy, in discomfort or telling you what they don’t want. Fortunately, they soon master other, less stressful, ways to convey their needs and wants to us – facial expressions including eye contact and smiling, sounds like cooing, babbling and laughing as well as physical movements including arm and hand gestures. As most babies can use gestures before they can speak clearly, this gives us an opportunity to communicate with ‘baby signing’.

What is baby signing? Baby signing or baby sign language is when families use symbolic gestures or signs to emphasise key words while speaking to their baby. When the child is developmentally able to, they can then communicate using these signs. It provides the child with a way of letting caregivers know what they do want, how they are feeling or things they have observed. Without this visual vocabulary helping provide insight, the child often uses other ways to show what they don’t want. Baby signing is regarded as a way for caregivers to improve their communication with their child and enables the child to understand and communicate earlier. Families can choose to use key signs from any source – baby sign books or New Zealand Sign

By assigning a gesture or sign to specific spoken words, baby signing helps the child communicate while they learn to speak.

Language (NZSL) – or even make up their own. There are a number of key benefits of using signs from sign language – they offer easy access to some great resources and you’ll also be learning New Zealand’s third official language. People who are not familiar with baby signing may assume it is primarily for deaf or hard of hearing children. However, in those instances the child will generally learn NZ Sign Language as an independent language with its own syntax and grammar. Baby signing is for hearing children. By assigning a gesture or sign to specific spoken words, baby signing helps the child communicate while they learn to speak.

Consider baby’s development In the typical development stages of an infant, babies gain control over their hands and arms sooner than they can master the complexities of speech. First spoken words like ‘mama’ or ‘dada’ may come around the same time as a child’s first signs; however, there is scope to quickly increase their signed vocabulary, while it may take some time to clearly speak those same words. Like all child development milestones, there is some variation on when experts suggest babies start signing.

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“Eat”

This is largely influenced by when parents start signing with their baby and how frequently and consistently they sign with them. The general consensus is babies will start signing between eight and twelve months. There are no age limits on when to start signing to your baby; some parents begin when their baby is a few months old and others prefer to wait until closer to their child’s first birthday when they are already gesturing. If you do decide to start early, babies can sign sooner than the eight- to twelve-month guideline – we have seen babies signing ‘milk’ at just six months of age! To use a personal example, my son’s first signs were ‘milk’, ‘done’ and ‘drink’. These first signs were extremely useful to us, but ‘drink’ in particular was invaluable as it took him many more months before he was able to pronounce the spoken word ‘drink’. During that period of time we knew exactly what he wanted and how to help him and it avoided a lot of frustration.

Benefits of signing with your baby In addition to children being able to convey what they want, there are a myriad of benefits that baby sign can offer the whole family, as well as the infant. These can be broadly categorised as:

The emotional rewards Engaging way to interact Increased focus on each other

“Milk”

Reduces frustration for baby AND parent Improved self-esteem – being listened to and reacted upon Builds on the primary caregiver bond

The practical advantages Communicate earlier with sign than spoken words Helps clarify communication (for both parent and their little one) Signposts key words for baby Provides a means to communicate needs and wants Helps parents interpret those early words Can sign across the room/playground

The developmental benefits Stimulates both sides of the brain at the same time Builds on their natural inclination to gesture Aids development of fine motor skills Encourages early development of speech and vocabulary Establishes the building blocks of communication, eg shared attention and turn taking

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“Please”

Baby sign has been a beautiful family bonding experience for us. I love how my son has learnt so much more than just signing; it has helped with his vocabulary, singing and learning about animals. – Elaine, Past Parents Centre Member

“Bee”

Make it fun One of the key ingredients in introducing and maintaining baby sign is to make it fun! A great way to do that is to combine signing with your favourite nursery rhyme or children’s song. You can sing the song or play a recorded one and instead of generic actions you can use signs for some of the key words. Just pick a few key signs from the song, look them up in the NZ Sign Language online dictionary and go for it! A good example is the nursery rhyme ‘This Little Piggy’. If you learn the three signs for ‘pig’, ‘home’ and ‘eat’ (for ‘ate’), you can then sign and say the rhyme to your little one. Many children’s songs and books revolve around animals, which is another great way to make signing entertaining and engaging. Whether it’s ‘Old MacDonald’, ‘Five Little Ducks’ or Dear Zoo, check out the animal signs and maybe two or three other key words in the song or book and have fun with it. Making animal noises and funny facial expressions always goes down well with kids! Baby sign classes often use music as the basis of the class and then the parents and children learn the signs as part of actions to the song. It’s a great interactive activity to do with your young child and at the same time equips families with the tools to use baby signing at home.

“Rabbit”

Getting started If you are keen to get started signing with your baby, here are a few resources to help. Learning signs: Download the NZSL Online Dictionary App – available at www.nzsl.nz Classes: Check out if there are local baby sign classes. Sign & Rhyme NZ offers online classes (https://signandrhymenz.wixsite.com/home). Book recommendation: Baby Sign Language: For Hearing Babies by Karyn Warburton. Remember, have fun with it. The more you enjoy it, the more your little one will too and the more likely you’ll

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“Dog”

Top tips for starting signing with your baby Have fun Learn a few key signs and start with using 3–5 regularly Speak as you would normally and do the sign as you say the key word Use 1 sign per sentence to start Do the sign every time you say the word and be expressive Use a mix of fun motivational signs and practical ones Try and link the sign to the concept or object (eg point to a ‘drink’) When signing animal signs, make it fun and include noises If you forget to sign for a few days, just start again! Babies understand far sooner than they will sign back to you… keep going

be to keep it up. Many parents find it easy to start but difficult to maintain as they may not get into the habit of signing every day or they may lose interest when their baby doesn’t sign back straight away. Try and build signing into your day. You can use the different activities you do as a reminder to sign – ‘change nappy’, ‘eating’, taking a ‘bath’, reading a ‘book’, going to ‘sleep’, etc. Also keep in mind all the benefits you are creating for your family before your child begins to sign back, and then when they do, you’ll be the most excited parent in town.

Baby sign classes Going to regular classes can be a great way to keep up the momentum once you start signing with your baby. It’s a fun bonding activity to do with your child while learning new signs. Check out your local area to see if there are classes; if not, online sessions could be a good alternative.

Learning baby sign has made such a difference in our lives. Our daughter is able to communicate so much with us without needing to have mastered the spoken words, and it helps her engage with us without frustration. I highly recommend it! – Cat, Past Parents Centre Member

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Kirsty Stone Kirsty founded and runs Sign & Rhyme, which offers baby sign classes for parents and babies on the North Shore of Auckland and online. Kirsty experienced the joys of baby signing with both her children and wanted to share the benefits and experience with other families.

10 key signs to get you started Start with just a few until you get into the habit of signing. Demonstrations of the NZSL version of these signs are available at www.nzsl.nz ď Ž

1. More

2. Change

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7. Sleep

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Your home,

your choice

Home birth is something that crosses most pregnant people’s minds, if only fleetingly, but often without realising it as a genuine option – a true place of birth. Yet amidst the unpredictable climate of 2020, many more women than usual in Aotearoa decided to have a home birth. We often see women who birth at home as radical beings and yet home birth for many is just a normal way of life. For me, choosing home birth for my fourth child did not even seem like something I had to choose. Rather it flowed so naturally to me – and to my midwife and my family – it was just a given from the beginning. As women, we have been led to believe that birthing within a hospital environment is safer for us and our babies. And while that may be true for some of us, there are also a lot of us where home feels – and is – a safer and much better option. Women have been birthing their babies for thousands of years and we are beyond grateful for technology when it is needed, but let’s have another conversation. What if we could birth in the comfort of our own homes with a highly skilled midwife we have built a close bond with over nearly a year, inviting whomever we desire, no strangers in sight AND still be safe and cared for? Here’s the not-so-well-hidden secret – I did and so have a whole group of women I know.

But is it safe? The New Zealand Ministry of Health states that home birth is a safe choice for many women and that women who have home births use less pain relief and have fewer interventions. By the time I had come to my fourth pregnancy I had already had two caesareans,

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followed by a waterbirth in the hospital with number three. I often hear women say that they are definitely heading to the hospital because they need the pain relief. I hear you! And yet when my birthing time came, despite having an 11-pound posterior baby, pain relief never crossed my mind. My biggest baby and physically hardest birth and yet it was like something within me, something deep and primal, clicked in and my instincts and body just took over. Our sisters in Australia recently compiled a study of 1.2 million births over a 12-year period (published in October 2019) and found that, compared to a hospital birth, the odds of having a normal labour and birth are two times as high in a birthing unit and six times as high in a home birth.

There is no typical home birth mama Statistics show that one in three women leave their births feeling traumatised and that these women often become fearful of birthing within that environment again. This can be where many home births stem from and yet there are many women who choose home birth for their first birth.

We do not have a type nor can we be categorised. First and foremost women simply want the best outcomes for their babies and for themselves, holistically. So women choose what they instinctually feel is the right decision for them. COVID-19 lockdown restrictions prompted many women to look for birthing options other than maternity wards. As a result, they have discovered some of the significant advantages of home birth. These range from the little things like having your own bed and shower, to more practical things like potentially not needing to organise childcare for other children. We often feel more relaxed and able to cope when we are in familiar surroundings and we don’t have to interrupt our labour by leaving them. At home we have much lower rates of contracting an infection and, because mum and baby are never separated, baby’s immune system can function optimally. There have also been many studies done on breastfeeding and homebirth that show that there is an easier establishment of breastfeeding and a higher chance of breastfeeding success after a homebirth – no interruption of the flow of oxytocin. So women choose home birth for many reasons. In my case, I needed to know that I had total control and say over my bodily autonomy, my decisions and

What will my midwife bring to my home birth? Your midwife will bring all the essential equipment and medications that may be needed to provide safe care during your labour and birth. In the majority of cases, interventions are not required, but home birth midwives are prepared with the skills and equipment they need to manage urgent situations and to arrange transfer to hospital if this becomes necessary. Midwives’ home birth kits include equipment to monitor you and your baby during labour (blood pressure and temperature, listening to your baby’s heart rate); sterilised instruments like clamps and scissors for the baby’s cord; and local anaesthetic and suturing equipment in case you need any stitches after giving birth. Your midwife will come equipped with oxygen and will always carry resuscitation equipment and certain medications. These things are required to be available at every birth no matter where the baby is born. New Zealand College of Midwives

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my mind. This had not always been the case for me with my previous hospital births. I spent a lot of time talking with my midwife about the decision to home birth and what our plans would be. I felt it was a complete partnership. I spent months going over the risks versus benefits, reading other home birth stories and going back to my sister’s home birth with her daughter, at which I was present. My husband, on the other hand, needed assurance on the what ifs. In Aotearoa we are able to choose to have a home birth, because our trained and highly skilled midwives can offer this. Kiwi midwives are trained in all aspects of birth and all can offer home birth if they wish. Some midwives, however, seem to have home birth flowing through their veins, their hands moving and their lungs breathing it as if there were nothing else.

Trust your midwife

Choosing your midwife is a huge decision – you will need to form a close bond and a relationship founded on trust.

and your baby thrive – they actually bring all the equipment a birthing unit holds, just in a more compact bag. Of course, as in life, sometimes emergencies happen, and things can change, and they will not hesitate to transfer you to hospital if they have any concerns.

Planning your home birth

This is where the partnership comes in. Choosing your midwife is a huge decision – you will need to form a close bond and a relationship founded on trust. Trust comes from knowing that you are both on the same page when it comes to your birth plan, your wishes and where that line is drawn. Home birth midwives seem to have a sixth sense; they plan ahead. Choosing your midwife is a huge decision – you will need to form a close bond and a relationship founded on trust.

When you’re planning a home birth there is very little, other than some reading, that you need to prepare or even buy. Most of what is required to birth at home is already there. Sometimes we overcomplicate things but birthing can be, and often is, very simple. When I was in labour my husband was running around like a headless chicken. I asked him what he was doing and he said he was sorting out the birth pool our midwife had dropped off days before. There was no time and instead I told him to just light a candle!

At most home births a midwife will come with a backup. These two midwives are at your home solely to serve you and your baby. They work together and have all the equipment and skills needed to ensure you

Of course, there are some things we can buy, borrow and prepare that can help the ambience of home birth. Some women like to bake a cake, or get one out of the freezer to thaw. The smell of baby’s first birthday

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cake baking or a pot of soup on the stove is a long-held home birth tradition for many cultures. Candles, fairy lights, lamps and a fire all add to the romantic glow and to the excited, anticipatory energy in the home. The key to home birth is to do what feels right for you and your family.

Doing what I felt was right Home birth can be magical and amazing; it can be empowering and strong; or it can also be normal and relatively uneventful. Each one is completely different and unique. I was not brave having a home birth; I was merely doing what I felt was right for me and my baby. And at the end of the day that’s what matters. Birthing our babies impacts every part of us; it changes our very being. How grateful I am to have such amazing

people who have gone before me to look up to and learn from, professionals such as Sara Wickham, Maggie Banks, Ina May Gaskin and Michel Odent. How beautiful that their passions and research can help pave the way for all pregnant people. How special that in Aotearoa we are given the opportunity to take responsibility for and control over something so life changing, and make it our own. Giving birth at home gave me a new perspective of myself. My body was not broken; I was strong and wise and my voice mattered. It gave me the strength to have another caesarean with my fifth baby and it gave me the power to support other women with their birth choices, no matter what they are. 

Lala McCarthy Lala has five children aged between one and twelve years and is a Home Birth Aotearoa Trustee. Her children were each born in their own way – her first two via caesarean, in traumatic ways, and her third in hospital, a beautiful and peaceful waterbirth. Baby number four was born at home and number five was delivered via a necessary yet gentle caesarean. Lala’s births have shaped her views, reinforcing for her the importance of human rights and choice in pregnancy, birth and postpartum, no matter where women birth.

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A different journey

from the one we anticipated On 23 March, 2020 there was an announcement across all the media that had a huge impact on everyone in New Zealand. We were told that as of 25 March, the whole country would be going into Level 4 lockdown to combat the spread of COVID-19.

Our daughter Skylah’s due date was 25 March. Suddenly, the nature of my antenatal appointments changed. I had to wait in the car for my midwife to phone me. Most of the appointment was conducted over the phone and then I was only allowed in for a very quick check-up. I had hoped to take my husband, Dan, in with me to hear Skylah’s heartbeat and chat to the midwife, but I had to go in by myself. My midwife wore a mask and the experience felt quite surreal. It felt like there was now a divide between us that wasn’t there before. She was going to support me through one of the biggest things I’d ever had to do, and yet we had to keep our distance. My midwives would be wearing

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full PPE gear at the birth and we would have the least amount of physical contact possible. I planned on having a drug-free, waterbirth at home and the people involved, as well as the atmosphere, were especially important to me. I had planned to have my mum at my birth, and this was also not going to be possible.

A different journey from the one we anticipated We were suddenly faced with the fact that our journey of bringing Skylah into the world would be very different from the one we had anticipated. I was sad that I wouldn’t have my mum around during – or after

– Skylah’s birth. I wondered if we’d end up having to go hospital, and if I’d be left alone with our baby girl. Under Level 4, birth partners could only stay for 20 minutes after the birth. Being a first-time mum with very little experience with babies, I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t get the support I needed. These concerns sat in the back of my mind, but I tried not to let them get to me too much. Instead, I focused on what I had learnt in the hypnobirthing course Dan and I did in early pregnancy. I practised the relaxation and breathing techniques we’d learned and focused on having a positive birth experience.

Calm, composed and excited Skylah’s due date came and went. On the morning of 27 March, Dan and I went for our usual walk around the neighbourhood. We got back and were on our deck eating lunch when I felt my waters break. An hour or so later I texted my midwife to let her know that Skylah would be on her way soon. I was oddly calm and composed, as well as excited. I knew my life was about to change drastically but I felt as ready as I could be. Around mid-afternoon I started feeling light contractions. I spent my time lying on the fold-out couch in the lounge, reading, listening to music, and doing the hypnobirthing exercises. I knew I should be sleeping – but there was no way I could sleep knowing what was coming.

and she said that they could do it together when she got there, so it stayed out on the deck. We set up the room – turned on lamps and lit candles and played peaceful music as the day turned into night. At 10pm the contractions were getting closer together and a bit stronger. I was able to breathe through them, but it was taking more effort and concentration. I was still feeling calm and in control. At around midnight the contractions ramped up a little. We called our midwife and she said she could come then, or we could wait a little longer as I was likely to be at that stage for a few more hours. I said I would wait.

We were suddenly faced with the fact that our journey of bringing Skylah into the world would be very different from the one we had anticipated.

As the afternoon progressed, the contractions started getting a bit stronger but were still far apart. Meanwhile, Dan spent time emptying the camera card onto his computer, doing some last-minute veggie planting in preparation for being in lockdown, and cooking meals to freeze. Unfortunately, he had put his back out earlier in the day, so all of these tasks were quite painful. I stayed on the bed looking at the birth pool and wondering when would be a good time to set it up. Dan had spoken to our midwife

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No longer coping so well Within ten minutes the contractions had intensified, and I was no longer coping as well as I had been. They were strong and closer together. We called our midwife and asked her to come immediately. The contractions were getting very painful. Dan realised that the pool needed to go up fast. He was running back and forwards tending to me and trying to get the pool up in between the contractions, all with a very sore back. He finally managed to get it up and started filling it when he realised that he had forgotten to put the liner in. The stress of not having anyone there to help was getting to us both. He quickly began bucketing the water back out of the pool while I lay on the fold-out bed, struggling through the contractions. We were both praying the midwife would arrive soon! Once the pool was empty again Dan started tackling the liner. But as much as he tried, he couldn’t figure out how to get the liner into the pool. There was no instruction manual…

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We were so glad to see our midwife Finally, our midwife arrived, and we were so glad to have her there. She suggested I go outside and move around a bit. I got myself out there only to come straight back inside and drop to all fours on the floor. I felt a strong urge to start pushing.

I was pleading for the pool to be ready so I could hop in. I wanted so desperately to be in the pool. It is what I had planned on since the start of my pregnancy. Meanwhile, Dan and our midwife were getting the liner in place and filling it up. At this point the hypnobirthing techniques were way out the window and I was squirming around on the floor using some very colourful language. The calm, peaceful birth scenario I had imagined was not quite playing out the way I had intended. I kept pushing and I heard the midwife say, “We may not even need the pool.” My heart sank. After what felt like an eternity the pool was ready. I somehow got myself up and flopped into it. I knew then that it was time to have my baby. I spent an hour or so pushing in the pool. I had read somewhere that pushing was the easier bit, so I had been looking forward to some relief. Unfortunately for me this wasn’t the case. I remember looking up at my midwife, and I think the fact I was feeling petrified was written all over my face. She reassured me that I was doing well and Skylah would be here soon.

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We navigated the birth together

and I hugged her to my chest. I will never forget that moment.

Dan knelt by the pool and held me up from behind. He supported me through the contractions and encouraged me to relax in-between. He was amazing. At some point the second midwife arrived and took some photos. Other than that, the midwives stood back and let Dan and me navigate the birth together.

I would describe Skylah’s birth as ‘perfectly imperfect’.

At 2.47am on 28 March, 2020 Skylah was born. Feeling her leave my body was such a surprise. At 4.32kg, she was not a small baby. It felt like half my insides fell out of my body. I looked down at Skylah, completely in awe and stunned at what I had just done. The midwife caught her and gave her to me. Skylah cried

At the end of the day it didn’t matter that the midwives wore full PPE – they could have been dressed up as clowns for all I cared. I trusted them completely and I knew they would step in when necessary. What mattered most was me, Dan and our baby girl. Skylah is a lovely baby and I count my lucky stars every day to have her in my life. 

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Lucie Chapman Lucie is a stay-at-home mum to her daughter, Skylah. Before becoming a mum, she worked for a company called Rhythm Interactive, teaching and performing interactive drum shows for schools and corporates around New Zealand. She also worked with youth and adults with disabilities, ran community hand drum classes and played in a band called Skylark.

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Giving consumers

a voice

in the future of midwifery in Aotearoa Earlier this year, the Midwifery Council launched the Aotearoa Midwifery Project â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a key strategic piece of collaborative work to shape the future of midwifery practice in Aotearoa.

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“I am mother to two little girls, whose entry into the world showed me how important pregnancy, birth and the transition to motherhood are. Since then I have devoted my research to maternal health promotion and have become involved as a consumer for Home Birth Aotearoa and the New Zealand College of Midwives. Currently I lecture in health promotion at Victoria University of Wellington.” – Dr Eva Neely

Using a Te Tiriti o Waitangi co-design approach, the Project will develop an effective and efficient regulatory framework to protect the health and safety of wa-hine, their pe-pi and wha-nau for the Council to consider.

use this forum to keep consumers’ perspectives in mind. I also believe that my professional work in crosscultural competence, remote work, service design and advocacy will benefit the team.”

Chief Executive/Registrar Dr Sue Calvert is confident midwifery is ready for this innovative work. “The Council is fully supportive of this Project that models evidencebased practice based on a Treaty partnership framework across the health and social system.” The Project will introduce key legislative changes relevant to midwifery practice and will review:

Glenn Thomas was also appointed to the Group as a consumer representative. “I am hoping that, as a father of two young children, I can bring a differing perspective to the work being done on the Aotearoa Midwifery Project and contribute in a way that will enhance mother and child wellbeing through enhancing the wellbeing of the wider wha-nau,” says Glenn.

the midwifery scope of practice

The Collaborative Reference Group has been meeting since May and the project team is now implementing the engagement strategy, which was delayed when COVID-19 rightly absorbed the energy of both the midwifery sector and the wider public.

t he competencies for entry to the register p re-registration standards for midwifery education A Collaborative Reference Group has been established to expertly guide the Council’s review of the regulatory framework and is Co-chaired by midwives, Dr Hope Tupara and Dr Judith McAra-Couper. The Group comprises midwives representing all parts of the sector – clinical midwives DHB representatives, professional body representatives and academia. Also integral to the Group are Ma-ori and Pasifika members plus four consumer representatives. Mother of two preschoolers Carla Rey Vasquez became involved with the Project because she has had recent maternity experience and is passionate about supporting women generally, specifically pregnant women and midwives. “I am a migrant, originally from Colombia, and seek to proudly represent the interest of migrant women,” says Carla. “I hope to

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As part of the engagement plan, members of the project team are connecting with different groups who are directly or indirectly involved in midwifery – midwives, Ma-ori, Pasifika and parents. “We are keen to engage with the sector to progress the work of the Project,” says Sue. “This will become particularly important when we move to the consultation phase. The voices of consumers – wa-hine, their pe-pi and wha-nau – are crucial to building a maternity system fit for our future.” 

Find out more Aotearoa Midwifery Project www.midwiferycouncil.health.nz

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Educating and empowering

whanau Studying to be a Childbirth Educator

From a young age, I knew that I wanted to have a job that involved babies. Now that I have my own children, who are growing rapidly, I have decided that I would love to work with parents to be. I believe it is important to educate and empower wha- nau in their own parenting journeys. I had my two eldest children in the United Kingdom, where I attended antenatal classes before my first son was born, and I created some lifelong friendships. After returning to New Zealand when I was pregnant with our youngest child, I searched online for organisations similar to the National Childbirth Trust antenatal classes I took in the UK. This is where I found Parents Centre and loved everything about them! I began volunteering with West Auckland Parents Centre and I value the connections I have made with other like-minded parents. I have really enjoyed studying for the New Zealand Diploma in Pregnancy, Childbirth and Early Parenting Education at Ara Institute of Canterbury. The content is varied, and the lecturers are only an email or phone call away for support. I loved attending the wa-nanga at the beginning of the year, where we got to meet each other face to face and participate in different workshops. I look forward to attending the future ones for the remainder of the course.

Nationwide support networks As the Ara programme is predominantly online, I have been lucky to connect with some amazing women from all over the country. We have built a strong support network and I look forward to building even stronger relationships as we move into the next part of our course – Transition to Parent Facilitation. 

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Thinking of becoming a Childbirth Educator? Find out more by contacting: Liz Pearce Parent Education and Operations Manager, Parents Centre Aotearoa Phone: (04) 233 2022, extn 8801, (027) 636 5372 Email: e.pearce@parentscentre.org.nz

Sharron Trousdell Sharron lives in West Auckland with her husband, Chris, and their three children, Harrison (eleven), Reilly (nine) and Darcy (seven). They love the beach, have regular family games/movie nights and enjoy spending time with their extended wha-nau. Sharron plays an active role in the children’s school communities and their extracurricular activities. When she gets the chance, she enjoys reading a good book with a cup of tea.

Celebrate World Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day at an event in your community!

20th November 2020

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Learning from

lockdown Most Kiwi children live full, meaningful and happy lives within stable and supportive families. All of us want all our countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s children to share the happiness and wellbeing so many already enjoy.

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One benefit of the lockdown has been to remind us of the centrality of relationships in our lives. It raises the question for us – how can we be family differently, so we can enjoy the benefits we experienced during lockdown without the personal cost it demanded of us?

International Children’s Day 20 November I want to be able to say that everything in the garden is rosy, that Aotearoa’s children are already all thriving. But I can’t, and we shouldn’t pretend. We know that for too many New Zealand children, certainly 10%, life is a perpetual intergenerational struggle. But there is good news. Things are changing. In the last few years some truly revolutionary initiatives – the Child Poverty Reduction Act and the Child and Youth Wellbeing Strategy – have recast the landscape. There is now a deliberate, intentional cross-party commitment by government to make life better for all our children. Of course, there is still much more to do. As International Children’s Day on 20 November approaches, the recent UNICEF scorecard – rating us 36th out of 41 OECD countries for child wellbeing – is a sobering reminder of just how much we have to improve. But a commitment to enhance family life has been made. Unfortunately, the pandemic has put a handbrake on moving from policy to action that transforms children’s lives.

We also learned that the extra time lockdown made available to families presented new opportunities to some families for their life together, particularly within Ma-ori and Pasifika communities. Children and young people also said how much they wanted to be included when it came to making decisions about the future in general, and their future in particular, in the light of the impacts of COVID-19. One benefit of the lockdown has been to remind us of the centrality of relationships in our lives. It raises the question for us – how can we be family differently, so we can enjoy the benefits we experienced during lockdown without the personal cost it demanded of us? That is both a challenge and an opportunity. Can we learn from lockdown’s golden lining? If we can, it has the potential to enrich all our lives and help us, parents and children, to enjoy and celebrate life together in Aotearoa New Zealand. 

COVID-19 has reminded us, if we needed reminding, that there continue to be deep inequalities underlying much of our national life. Some families have been hit hard by harsh new economic realities while others have weathered the financial storms with equanimity. In a survey conducted by our Office, children and young people themselves told us about their experience of the time they were locked down at home in their bubble. The findings of our recently released COVID Voices report revealed some surprises. One was that the experience was not all bad. Far from it! For many children and young people there were, in fact, more positives than negatives. Children and young people really enjoyed having more free time, having control over their time, and being able to take advantage of opportunities to discover new activities. And, perhaps most of all, spending more quality time with their families. On the other hand, while some enjoyed the independence of being educated from home, being cut off from routines and unable to spend time in person with their friends was unsettling for others. We were reminded of how crucial relationships are for children and young people, and how much being unable to meet up in person with friends and family affected them.

Andrew Becroft Judge Becroft is the Children’s Commissioner. He is married with three children and is a keen sports watcher, but, he confesses, only an average (but enthusiastic) participant. Judge Becroft was the 2018 winner of the Public Service Category at the Wellingtonian of the Year awards for helping vulnerable young people as Children’s Commissioner.

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

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Breastfeeding hormones

help dads Prolactin â&#x20AC;&#x201C; the parenting hormone

Fathers of new babies can be forgiven for feeling a little hormonal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a recent study has shown they are being flooded by the same chemical as a breastfeeding mother. In the mother this hormone activates lactation so they can breastfeed. But in the father it makes him a more connected dad. A major University of Otago study, collaborating with international partners, has shed new light on the role of prolactin and solved the puzzle of why it is released in new fathers. The research, which has been published in the leading scientific journalâ&#x20AC;ŻCell, demonstrates that prolactin directly influences male behaviour by unlocking the paternal instinct. Conversely, if the action of the hormone is blocked, fathers will ignore their parenting duties. Raised levels of prolactin in the blood of new dads have previously been observed in different species. In male fathers it rose both pre-birth and during typical parenting activities such as holding their child.

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“This paper shows us that, if you get rid of the ability for the brain to respond to prolactin, then dads stop taking care of their young. You need prolactin in the brain for dads to be paternal.” – Dr Kristina Smiley

The two-year study found prolactin is regulated in completely different ways in these two animals, and this explains their behavioural differences. When the researchers elevated the prolactin levels in male rats, it triggered them to engage in paternal care activities, such as grooming their pups. But until now its presence had not been understood. “Prolactin has historically been known for its role in lactation, but it’s been a mystery why males even have this hormone,” explains Dr Kristina Smiley, of the Centre for Neuroendocrinology, in the Otago University Department of Anatomy. “We know it has some metabolic functions, but we had no idea what role it played in reproduction for males.” Kristina was part of an international team which investigated this phenomenon from a variety of different angles. The team included the Otago University laboratories of Professor Dave Grattan and Dr Rosemary Brown from the Centre for Neuroendocrinology and Department of Anatomy along with Professor Christian Broberger’s laboratory at Stockholm University.

Dads need prolactin to be paternal The study looked at prolactin function in two different species – rats and mice – where males exhibit contrasting behaviours around their young. Male rats ignore their offspring, whereas male mice are actively involved in the care of their pups.

In contrast, when male mice had their prolactin blocked, they stopped taking care of their young. “It’s a really dramatic change,” Kristina explains. “The most significant parental behaviour that male mice exhibit is retrieving their pups to the nest to keep them warm and secure. But when we block this prolactin action, they don’t pick them up at all. They just leave them outside of the nest. “This paper shows us that, if you get rid of the ability for the brain to respond to prolactin, then dads stop taking care of their young. You need prolactin in the brain for dads to be paternal.” Interestingly, raising prolactin in virgin males did not induce paternal behaviour – this indicates that the hormone’s effect on behaviour is conditional on prior sexual experience. The study also found that it was not just the level of prolactin, but the way prolactin release is regulated by the brain, that also differed in these animals, contributing to the differences in paternal behaviours observed in rats and mice.

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The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Men can also suffer from postnatal depression The results of the study may help investigations into postpartum mood disorders, which also affect men even though they don’t experience pregnancy and childbirth, Kristina says. “When you look at depression, for example, a postnatally depressed patient and a major depressive patient will show the same outward symptoms. But the brain of a depressed patient looks completely different from a postpartum depression patient.

Sean Flaherty Sean has 30 years’ experience

“It really comes back to how parental care is regulated and not so much how mood is regulated. There’s something really special and unique that occurs in parents, specifically, that leads to these mood disorders. It seems to be more of a disruption in the brain areas that control parental behaviour, as opposed to these emotional centres.”

in journalism in New Zealand

The research team is now looking at how surges of prolactin might change the male’s brain after mating to prepare them for fatherhood.

communications on Otago

“Parental care is one of the few fields in science where men and males are quite underrepresented. We know so much about maternal care and maternal behaviour, but we don’t understand the paternal brain nearly as well.” 

“Parental care is one of the few fields in science where men and males are quite underrepresented.”

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and the UK. His previous roles have included Online Editor and Head of News at the Otago Daily Times. Sean is responsible for University’s major building and IT projects.

In this section Meet the new Parents Centre Board Chair End of an era Virtual Big Latch On in Palmerston North

Antenatal – pregnancy, childbirth and parent education

Find a Centre near you

Parents Centre has been providing education and support to parents through antenatal classes for almost 70 years! Our programmes provide evidence-based, relevant research to support parents to make the very best decisions for their individual situation. Our programmes are so popular because this information is delivered in a fun, engaging and interactive way so that parents enjoy the learning while also fostering special friendships and support groups. We are very proud of our programmes and the difference we make for wha-nau in our community. As well as being the leading provider of antenatal education in Aotearoa throughout our 70-year history, Parents Centre has been at the forefront of advocating to improve antenatal education and birthing practices, and ensuring women know their rights, have options and feel empowered to make their own decisions. To provide the community with the very best programmes, we have an awesome team of expert Childbirth Educators (CBEs), all trained to diploma level and passionate about the importance of quality childbirth education. We believe that, with the right information, birthing choices sit firmly with you, the parents. Knowledge is empowerment, enabling you to have control over what is the start of the most incredible journey of your life – becoming a parent. www.parentscentre.org.nz 

Top: Meet the 2020/21 Stratford Parents Centre committee in their Centre whare. Bottom: We were very fortunate to receive a grant this year from Acorn Foundation. This allows us to offer services to our community – like delivering meals to our members after the birth of their babies. Thank you Acorn Foundation!

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Giving back We chat with incoming Parents Centre Board Chair Kathryn Fletcher about her time with Parents Centre so far and her plans and hopes for her new role. Te-na- koe Kathryn and congratulations on your new appointment! Tell us, how did you first hear about Parents Centre? After growing up in New Zealand I had been living and working in Canada, but in 2015, when I was pregnant, we decided to move back home to Auckland. My mother was unwell with Alzheimer’s, and we wanted to take the opportunity to have a meaningful relationship with her before her health deteriorated further. Before I left Canada, a friend suggested that I should consider connecting with Onewa Parents Centre. This turned out to be one of the best decisions I made! I followed a well-worn path of enrolling for childbirth education classes – which then turned into a coffee group. This amazing group of women became my village as I navigated those challenging early days of becoming a mum, which were particularly tough not having my own mum to lean on. I am so thankful that I joined Parents Centre when I came home. When you are pregnant, you have no idea how much you don’t know – and being able to share that experience with other women at the same stage of motherhood was such an unexpected benefit. I wanted to give something back to Onewa Parents Centre, so I joined the committee, first as Secretary and then I was elected President.

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What motivated you to join the Board? I was nominated to the Parents Centre national Board in 2018. I worked in change management and governance when I was overseas and was lucky enough to support some really interesting boards and see successful strategic change happen from the inside out. I believe good governance is crucial for any organisation. Currently, I work in Human Resources and Communications and I hope my experience will be useful to Parents Centre.

What do you hope to achieve as Chair? 2020 has been an incredibly challenging year but I’m thrilled we were able to continue to support expecting and new parents online. As Chair, I hope to see Parents Centre continue to extend its reach in different ways – not only through technology but also through strengthening community connections in our beautiful, diverse, multicultural Aotearoa.

What are some of your hopes and aspirations for the organisation? I’m incredibly passionate about maternal mental health and I hope to see Parents Centre grow its voice in support of new mums who may need an extra helping hand – particularly those without their own village. 

A farewell and a new look for Kiwiparent

The Great Duck Race is back for our third year!

Farewell

7 November 12pm-3pm

This issue we farewell Leigh Bredenkamp as the Editor of Kiwiparent. Leigh has been a stalwart of Parents Centre since she first started in September, 1996. Her first issue went out in December/January, 1996/97. One hundred and forty-four issues later, Leigh is signing off. During this time, well over half a million parents have found Kiwiparent a source of information, comfort and enjoyment.

The race starts from under the bridge on Little Valley Road, Alexandra, at 12 noon and finishes at the Linger and Die area. Come along for a great afternoon of entertainment at Centennial Park, between Walton Street and Rivers Street.

Leigh has guided the magazine for over 24 years, during which the organisation has undergone significant changes. Over these years, she has been very fortunate to be able to work with some of the founders and icons of the Parents Centre movement: Helen Brew, Chris Cole Catley, Nancy Sutherland, Mary Dobbie, Marie Bell and Sharron Cole. On behalf of Parents Centre, we want to thank Leigh for all she has done for New Zealand parents and for the organisation. Leigh, you have earned your retirement from Kiwiparent. Thank you for all your work over the years!

New look Make sure you get the next issue of Kiwiparent! It will go out at the end of January, 2021 and will bring a new look to your familiar magazine. Kiwiparent is being redesigned and revamped to bring it closer to the look of our new website and will highlight a new, modernised approach. Instead of a separate website, Kiwiparent will be part of the Parents Centre website and you will be able to find additional information on articles, including interviews and podcasts. Kiwiparent will also be more closely linked to social media so that the trusted information you look for in Kiwiparent will also be available through other channels. 

There will be cash prizes for the winning ducks and heaps of amazing spot prizes to be claimed at the event. There will also be a colouring competition, toy zone provided by the Alexandra Toy Library, amazing balloons, bouncy castle and face painting! Hot and cold food and drinks will be available for purchase, so bring your hats and picnic blankets and make a day of it. Ducks are now on sale at Unichem Alexandra Pharmacy and Bookshop and Mico Alexandra. This is our major fundraiser and we have been fortunate to have been supported by many local businesses, which means awesome prizes for the lucky ticket holders! Ducks are $5 each with three cash prizes ($300, $200 and $100) for the winning ducks as well as heaps of great prizes including vouchers for loads of local businesses. You don’t need to be at the duck race to receive a prize. Payment can be taken either in cash or via bank transfer; just message us to arrange this. 

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Making the best of a unique situation Virtual Big Latch On 2020 Palmerston North Parents Centre hosted our Big Latch On (BLO) in August in association with the local chapter of La Leche League and Barnardos’ Bumps to Babies programme. As this was an international event, held in the midst of COVID-19 restrictions, for the first time this year we held a virtual Latch On! Normally the BLO is a wonderful in-person celebration and a relaxing chance to meet other breastfeeding parents – a classic ‘catch up and latch up’, but in its absence we had to work to provide our community with an event worth opening Zoom for. Here in Palmerston North we arranged an impressive programme of local speakers – Cheryl Benn, Jacquie Nutt and Jackie Wheeler. They discussed various topics close to a breastfeeding parent’s heart – feeding patterns, supply, support – and a demonstration from a member of our local sling library to show how you can nurse on the go. Thanks to the generous support of local businesses and organisations, we were able to pepper the morning with an array of prizes – across the hour and a half of our event we gave away 26 prizes. Using Zoom chat, our 56 attendees asked questions, responded to one another, and even offered donor milk to someone struggling with supply. We were privileged

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to host our youngest nursling of just four days old, and the oldest at four and a half years, as well as two tandem feeding parents and four ma-ma- hapu-. Our amazing speakers were kind, supportive and generous with their valuable time, responding to questions in the chat and providing great information. We were delighted to hear from Jacquie Nutt about plans for a Milk Bank based in the Manawatu-, to increase the support for parents who would otherwise have to source their own donor milk for Neonatal Intensive Care Unit babies. Despite the unique situation, we came together to provide our community with an event they found enjoyable, engaging and supportive. We hope to see many of the same faces next year, plus many more, and we sincerely hope that in 2021 we can have our event in person, and with cake! Rachel Mackay Baby and You Co-ordinator, Palmerston North Parents Centre 

Each edition of Kiwiparent profiles one of Parents Centre Aotearoa’s renowned parent education programmes.

This month the spotlight is on:

Toileting Learning Tried to move on from nappies but were unsuccessful? Not yet started this journey and looking for direction? This workshop is designed for parents who are looking for ideas and tips to support this transition and journey, in a gentle child-centred approach. If you and your child are ready to move on from nappies, this is the online workshop for you. Parents Centre has teamed up with Looloo Toilet Training Solutions to bring you online parent education classes. These sessions are held either morning or night and run for 1.5 hours, finishing with a Q&A session. The workshop will help parents who are encouraging their child to use the toilet but need a game plan because so far they have been unsuccessful or newbies who haven’t started but want to feel more confident in supporting their little people to kick the nappy habit.

What does the programme cover? The best way to learn to use the toilet without the battles, nagging and constant reminders. How to motivate your child to get out of nappies and use the loo. How to get them to sit on it long enough to do something on it. How to catch a poo on the loo. What to do when your child sits on the potty or toilet and does nothing on it. Whether to use disposable training pants when you go out if you are worried they may have wee puddles. Potty vs toilet – which is best to start with? How to set them up so they have success when they start daycare or kindy. 

This programme is not a one-size-fits-all method filled with pushy parenting techniques. It’s about empowering you with support from a parenting coach who will share practical strategies and tactics that have helped thousands of families.

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Find a Centre near you Parents Centres span the entire country, with 52 locations around New Zealand. Contact your local Centre for details of programmes and support available in your area, or go to:

www.parentscentre.org.nz

North Island Auckland Region 1 Wha-nga-rei WaitemataBays North Harbour Hibiscus Coast - newa O

Bay of Plenty Tauranga Whakata-ne Rotorua TaupoTaranaki

Auckland Region 2

New Plymouth

Auckland East

Stratford

Papakura

South Taranaki

Manukau

East Coast North Island

Franklin

Central Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay

Auckland Region 3

Hawkeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Bay

West Auckland

Central Districts

Central Auckland

Palmerston North

East & Bays

Wairarapa

Waikato Thames-Hauraki

Wellington Ka-piti

Morrinsville

Lower Hutt

Hamilton

Mana

Cambridge Pu-ta-ruru - torohanga O

Upper Hutt Wellington North Wellington South

South Island Northern South Island Nelson Marlborough Greymouth Canterbury Region Ashburton Christchurch Timaru Oamaru Southern Region Alexandra Balclutha Dunedin Gore Taieri

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Great parents

grow great kids

Arm yourself with knowledge as you grow as a parent alongside your child, by taking part in one of the Parents Centre programmes that run nationwide. Having a new baby is a time of significant change – your brain is working overtime with questions and your body is going through amazing changes. It’s quite a journey. Parents Centre has been supporting parents for almost 70 years. Become a member of Parents Centre and we can support you too! You’ll get access to quality pregnancy, childbirth and parent education that will help you gain invaluable knowledge on your pregnancy, childbirth and early parenting journey. It’s a great way to meet other new parents who are on the same journey as you. They often become lifelong friends. You get support through coffee groups that meet on a regular basis, and ongoing education programmes to help you navigate the stages of pregnancy and parenthood. With 52 locations nationwide, we provide many opportunities for social engagement for both parents and children. Many of our Centres offer playgroups and music classes, and these are a great way to learn with your children while you get to socialise with other parents at the same time.

You also gain skills and experience that will be a real asset when you decide to rejoin the workforce. We look forward to having you join our Parents Centre family and supporting you on your parenting journey! Early Pregnancy – a special programme tailored for your 12th to 24th weeks of pregnancy. Pregnancy, Childbirth and Parent Education (Antenatal) – essential information to prepare you for childbirth and early parenting. Baby and You – practical and sensible tips and advice for enjoying and making the most of those first months with your newborn. Parenting with Purpose – consciously focusing on how you want to parent and how your child ticks. Return to Work – advice on preparing for and returning to the paid workforce. Magic Moments – strategies for positive communication and discipline with your child. Moving and Munching – exploring baby’s first foods and developmental stages.

As a Parents Centre member you will receive loads of giveaways and free samples, as well as special discount shopping days, and discounted products and services exclusive to Parents Centre members. Who doesn’t love freebies and discounts?

Music and Movement – stimulating music activities for your baby and toddler.

Many of our members gain so much from being Parents Centre members that they want to ‘give back’ and become volunteers for their local Centres, ensuring that new parents can continue to benefit from the skills, knowledge, friendships and support they’ve received.

www.parentscentre.org.nz 

Tinies to Tots – positively encouraging your emerging adventurous toddler.

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Preschool in a pandemic

Choosing an early learning centre during COVID-19 In a quality early learning centre, your child will benefit from great teachers and social interactions with other children. But choosing a centre that will work for both you and your child can seem daunting. Where do you start?

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We recommend you visit three centres before deciding. Talk to other parents about how they’ve found the centre. Are they happy there? Do teachers come and go much or are they stable? Were parents happy with communication and steps taken by the centre during the lockdowns? Did they feel listened to? Did they feel their child was always safe?

Things to look out for If you are deciding on a centre, there are many other things to look for. When visiting, check for respectful interactions between teachers and

children. Are children engaged and happy? Talk to the teachers about what the centre’s values are and ask them how they will support your child. Tell them about your hopes. Ask the team how they deal with challenging situations and check their last ERO (Education Review Office) report. Ask them about their COVID-19 safety precautions to keep children, wha-nau and staff safe. When you visit a centre, you should feel that you could belong. Do you see your culture reflected on the walls or in the centre’s customs and language?

Making the decision to attend an early learning centre will allow your child to learn in a caring, supportive environment. Trained teachers will know and understand your child’s physical, emotional and mental development and have the skills to extend their learning. Early learning teachers will understand how to use language and be responsive to your young child’s verbal and non-verbal speech. They’ll provide activities to keep children amused and stimulated – and delighted and inspired to learn. They will be sensitive and responsive to your child’s needs and signals.

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The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Some early childhood trained teachers have teaching diplomas, but most have three-year degrees, and all teachers work with the world-renowned early childhood curriculum, Te Wha-riki.

More than just play There’s a huge amount of planning that goes into every day at an early learning service. Teachers are masters of setting up environments that challenge and grow children’s physical abilities, vocabularies, curiosity, and social interactions. They prompt, ask open-ended questions, and follow children’s interests to extend their understanding of the world around them. They follow every aspect of a child’s physical and emotional wellbeing. We still find there’s the impression that children just ‘play’ at early childhood – that the real learning starts at school. However, research tells us that from zero to seven years, children’s brains are hardwired to learn through play. Children who have the best outcomes as adults are those that have had the most opportunities to learn this way. In the early years, children are sorting through real-life situations that they experience through play – and this early learning can form the

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foundation of their lifelong patterns. They are busy learning how to form relationships, how to problemsolve, the excitement of curiosity, how good it feels to do exercise, how to negotiate, take turns, learn resilience, take safe risks, establish healthy eating habits and much, much more. The skills that older children learn at early learning centres enable them to start school feeling confident and able to cope in a classroom and be excited lifelong learners. Early childhood teachers are skilled in supporting and extending children in this important first stage of their learning journey. A teacher who encourages, suggests, plays, and leads with passion and kindness can make a lasting impression on a child’s life. For all these reasons and more, we believe that children benefit enormously from attending quality early learning centres.

What lockdown meant for wha-nau Many of you have been affected by lockdown in early childhood centres. You might have delayed starting your child at an early childhood centre. Many parents have had to take their children home to spend

lockdown together. You might have had to work from home, trying to meet the needs of both work and your child. Your child would be out of their usual schedule, missing their teachers, activities and friends. We think parents deserve huge acknowledgement for what they achieved during this time. We also want to reassure families there are big benefits for children attending well-run, quality early education centres in these uncertain times. Choosing a centre that will suit your child is important, as is knowing it will be responsive during lockdown. From an early childhood centre operator’s perspective, this time of COVID-19 has been a challenging time too. When BestStart went into lockdown in Alert Level 4, there wasn’t much time to prepare. We set about organising our centre teams, children and families, as well as reorganising our personal lives. At BestStart we have 265 centres and around 18,000 families through Aotearoa. We knew we had to be there for our children and staff – and of utmost importance was our connection with our families during lockdown. We decided to develop online home learning for the duration of lockdown. It was a massive task, but we designed and delivered

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5-Star rated must-haves & sleep essentials

BestStart@Home, an online daily programme connecting centre teachers to their children. Our teams made videos, held Zoom meetings, took mat times and set awesome activities for our tamariki. All this was safely achieved from the teachers’ homes. This made life a little easier for families during lockdown. Children were engaged, kept learning, and maintained their sense of connection with their friends and teachers. From a national perspective, in every early learning centre the safety and wellbeing of children and teaching teams must be at the forefront of COVID-19-related decisions. Your centre should be in close contact with the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Education. Depending on the Alert Level we go to, there are rigorous procedures that must always be followed. When a change of Alert Level occurs, all centres should send families communication clearly outlining procedures. You might have many questions including about fees, benefits and how to keep in touch. You should always know what staff are doing to keep your child

safe, and what you, as part of the family community, will need to do, particularly if your child isn’t feeling well, or if social distancing is required at drop-off and pick-up.

Will my child be safe? Many parents worry about their child rejoining their centre when lockdown is over. If this is you, we recommend you ask centre staff the questions that are worrying you. Never be brushed off by a busy centre team member. Your concerns are important, and you should never feel uncomfortable about sending your child back to the centre. Despite the challenging times, early childhood teachers are still laughing, loving and teaching our nation’s youngest. We hope that this has been some reassurance for all those currently enrolled or thinking of enrolling in an early childhood centre. Remember – expect great communication and ask about things you’re not sure of. You are your child’s greatest advocate. 

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Member only Fiona Hughes Fiona is the Deputy Chief Executive of BestStart. For many years she has been responsible for building BestStart’s reputation for quality early childhood education and care for preschoolers. Fiona is passionate about equal access for all children, especially those not yet participating in early childhood education and care.

savings! Parents Centre members can can get exclusive discounts on selected styles from The Sleep Store! Go to thesleepstore.co.nz/content/parents-centre for further details & start saving today!

Free expert sleep advice & New Zealand’s best infant sleep & parenting essentials.

thesleepstore.co.nz facebook.com/SleepStore

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa instagram.com/thesleepstore

Swim for your life Summer is fast approaching, and once again it’s time to hit the water! Enjoying the outdoors is an integral part of the Kiwi way of life and every summer thousands of people will head to our beautiful and refreshing beaches, rivers and lakes. This poses a huge risk to those who cannot swim or are not comfortable in the water.

Every year more than 100 people drown in our waterways and this is largely due to a lack of simple education and basic water skills. While you can never drown-proof someone, having some basic skills such as floating and kicking can mean the difference between a wonderful summer holiday or one that ends with tragedy. “I have been lucky enough to work in this industry with some awesome people and organisations, but I have also encountered some horrific situations that have torn families apart and taken a heavy toll on those left to pick up the pieces. It was these stories that inspired us to look at this problem in a different way,” says Phil Waggott from SplashSave. When we look at the issue of drowning in New Zealand there are several factors that have led to Aotearoa ranking as one of the worst countries per capita when it comes to drowning. Some of these are the closure of school pools, access to lessons being out of reach for a lot of people, and the daily struggle in busy lives to find time to commit to swimming lessons or other alternatives. “People generally think there is no option but to take their child to swimming lessons for them to learn these vital skills,” says Phil. “However, the good news is that this is no longer true.” Phil and his brother Richard are on a mission to let all parents know that they can they take control of their child’s aquatic education. Plus, it is really fun and

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enjoyable to play with your child in the water while you watch them grow and learn new skills. Helping under-five-year-olds to learn to swim is super easy because all you need to do is play games with them that help them gain confidence and competence in the water. “As a swim teacher, my biggest hurdle in teaching preschoolers was gaining the trust of the child to create a good learning environment for them. “However, parents already have that bond and trust with their child so they will see the results more quickly as the child will be more willing to push themselves outside of their comfort zone.” In order to be a successful swim teacher, you don't need to be able to swim yourself. But you should never put yourself in a position where both you and your child cannot touch the bottom if you’re not confident of your own swimming ability. The key to learning to swim is the amount of time spent practising – taking a parent-led approach allows you to go to the pool as often as you like. The more they practise the quicker they will learn. The important thing is exposure to the water in a fun and safe environment – that’s how you get kids to learn, and learn quickly. “The quicker we can teach our preschoolers these basic skills at a young age, the less likely people will be to drown later in life,” says Phil. “The key to surviving is the ability to keep your head above the water for as long as possible and a simple skill like floating on your back can achieve this.”

Philip Waggott

No matter how well your child can swim, there is no better way to prevent them from drowning than constant supervision while around water (including the bath).

How do I start? So, what are the next steps now you’re convinced that you can do something about your child’s water safety and survival? Step one is to go to the pool with your child and help them practise things like putting their face in the water, getting comfortable and moving around to familiarise themselves with their surroundings. Above all, make sure whatever you are doing is both safe and fun. No matter how well your child can swim, there is no better way to prevent them from drowning than constant supervision while around water (including the bath). As they get older educate them on the dangers associated with the water and how they can avoid these dangers.

Phil has been involved in teaching swimming and water safety for over 22 years. During this time, he has taught thousands of children to swim, was an expert advisor on the Water Skills for Life programme and developed the national police aquatic training module.

If you still don’t feel confident to teach your child, you can get help from the SplashSave Pack Phil and his brother Richard have created. The Pack has simpleto-follow steps, tips, and tricks you can use with your child to help them learn and grow their skills in the water. This SplashSave initiative has been endorsed and supported by Water Safety New Zealand and ACC and is a key component of the 2020 drowning prevention strategy. “We urge parents to pick up the mantle and teach your little ones the basics,” says Phil. “This is so you can have more confidence when you go away for the summer that the whole family can enjoy the water safely.” If you would like to purchase a SplashSave Pack, want more information or to see what the SplashSave Foundation is all about please visit: www.splashsave.org

Parents Centre members quote PCNZ for a 30% discount

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The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Ways to keep your child safe around water – from Water Safety New Zealand Constant active adult supervision is important at all times Always keep babies and toddlers within arm’s reach around water. It takes less than a minute for a child to drown.

If you’re in a group, have an active adult supervision roster Don’t rely on older children to supervise younger ones in, on or around water. Constant active adult supervision is always required.

Identify water hazards in and around the home Ensure your pool is properly fenced and complies with the safety requirements under the pool safety legislation and make sure your pool has properly working safety latches. Empty water from unused paddling pools, buckets and containers after use and ensure you have a safely fenced play area. Remember to check for water hazards when you are on holiday.

Use a bathmat Using a bathmat in the bath stops your child from slipping but you should NEVER leave your baby or toddler unsupervised in the bath even to answer the phone.

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Don’t get distracted Put your phone away when you’re supervising children around water. Their lives are in your hands and their safety requires your full attention. A child can drown in the time it takes for you to read a text message.

Teach your children water safety behaviour As soon as they are old enough to understand, tell your children things like: “Never go near the water unless you’re with a grown up.” It is important to teach your children to enjoy water, but also to respect it.

Wear lifejackets These are essential on a boat, and must fit snuggly and have a crotch strap. Lifejackets should be worn whenever your child is around water as accidental immersions are a leading cause of preventable drowning fatalities in New Zealand.

Support your child and give them fun and positive early experiences around water It is important to begin your child’s aquatic education early and this can be as simple as taking them to a pool for a fun splash around. It is crucial that every Kiwi can learn to enjoy the water from an early age and gain the skills to keep them safe. Water Safety New Zealand Watersafety.org.nz 

We believe successive governments have failed to support at-risk mothers.

1 in 7

Postnatal depression affects up to 15 percent of mothers after they have given birth, with lack of support recorded as a factor. Source: depression.org.nz

Of the 41 developed countries surveyed in the latest Innocenti Report Card, New Zealand ranks 35th overall for our child wellbeing outcomes.* Source: UNICEF. *Statistic not directly linked to postnatal depression.

On average a child dies every five weeks as a result of violence in New Zealand.* Source: UNICEF *Statistic not directly linked to postnatal depression. Children under 12 months old make up the majority.

UK Maternal suicide in New Zealand is five times higher per capita than that of the UK, with MÄ ori women hqsc.org.nz overrepresented.** Source:

Sign the petition change.org/MothersMatter Authorised by Chloe Wright, 163 Esdaile Road, Whakamarama, 3180 **Help is available at Lifeline Aotearoa 0800 543 354

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

mothersmatter.nz

A picture paints

a thousand words

Book reviews

Former Poet Laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh’s first book for children was the supreme winner at the 2020 New Zealand Book Awards for Children and Young Adults. Mophead was awarded the highest prize in children’s publishing – The Margaret Mahy Book of the Year – during a virtual presentation in August. The judges called Mophead “clever, joyful and inspiring, with not a smidgen of pretension or condescension”. They described it as a taonga that should be placed in the hands of every child in Aotearoa, especially young Pasifika children who might not yet know their own creative power. “We love this book’s design and production. We love that it’s part picture book, part graphic novel, part memoir, part poem – its form is exactly what it wants and needs to be, which is the message of the book too,” says convenor of judges Jane Arthur.

Mophead recounts Marsh’s journey from self-conscious child unsure of her place in the world to being New Zealand’s Poet Laureate rubbing shoulders with world leaders and literary luminaries, and delivers a powerful message that your difference is what makes a difference.

The Russell Clark Award for Illustration Some of Aotearoa’s most gifted illustrators made the final cut of this category – stories encompass a river’s journey, a Kiwi Christmas, a dozy cat, striking histories and wildlife extravaganzas. A pared back and powerful book claimed this Award. The judges described Mat Tait’s illustrations for The Adventures of Tupaia as having an urgent fire in their belly, and praised their ability to reach the reader on an intellectual, gut and aesthetic level.

The Adventures of Tupaia Published by Allen & Unwin with Ta- maki Paenga Hira Auckland War Memorial Museum Illustrated by Mat Tait (written by Courtney Sina Meredith) The impacts on Pacific peoples of Tupaia’s journey with Captain Cook are sensitively explored in this large-format book. Careful use of point-of-view gives or takes power from the characters in different ways as we move through the story. The limited colour palette serves as a shortcut towards drama and emotional impact, while the pared-back illustrations are sophisticated, striking, dramatic and, ultimately, incredibly moving. About Mat

Mat Tait is a South Island-based comics artist and writer. He gained a BFA in painting from Ilam School of Fine Arts and then lived in America and Britain before settling in Motueka, where he does freelance illustration and works on his art.

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Book reviews

Dozer the Fire Cat

Santa’s Worst Christmas

Published by Scholastic New Zealand

Published by Huia Publishers

Illustrated by Jenny Cooper (written by Robyn Rokop)

Illustrated by Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (written by Pania Tahau-Hodges and Bryony Walker)

Dozer is a characterful and cat-like cat – with his fluffyfooted stalking of prey, inelegant washing techniques, and contortionist sleeping positions. A thoughtful approach to composition can be seen on each spread, with lots of white space used around vignettes of Dozer and his human family.

A fabulous representation of extended wha-nau (as well as Santa’s little green elves), with gorgeously composed, incredibly child-friendly illustrations. Each page is crammed with details – can you spot the koru on almost every page? How many different snacks can you count throughout the book? The result is joyous, hilarious and charming.

About Jenny

About Isobel

Jenny Cooper has been illustrating children’s books for 20 years and lives in Amberley, near Christchurch. After gaining a qualification in graphic design, Jenny and her family moved to Samoa, where she taught art.

Isobel Joy Te Aho-White (Nga-ti Kahungunu, Nga- i Tahu) is a freelance graphic artist and illustrator. Isobel studied design at the Whanganui School of Design and Massey University and uses both digital and traditional media. She specialises in symbolism and metaphor, and her work is influenced by mythology and folk tales, botanical illustration and life experience.

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Book reviews

Song of the River

Wildlife of Aotearoa

Published by Gecko Press

Published by Puffin, Penguin Random House

Illustrated by Kimberly Andrews (written by Joy Cowley)

Illustrated and written by Gavin Bishop

Cam lives in the mountains and wishes he could see the sea. He sets out to see where a trickle of water leads, and follows it as it grows into a creek, a stream, and finally a river flowing into the sea. Kimberly Andrews’ detailed illustrations using muted, natural colours capture the magic of this journey, and allow readers to soar along with Cam towards the sea – weaving between trees, high above the forest or underwater with the frogs.

This super-size book is full of lovingly rendered creatures of Aotearoa, in Gavin Bishop’s inimitable watercolour style. The backgrounds for each spread are stunning and depict different ecosystems, from wetlands to dark watery depths, and from night-time forest skies to cool, clear mountain air. The compositions move masterfully between a static poster and images that create the perception of movement.

About Kimberly

Kimberly Andrews is a trained biologist and geologist who grew up in the Canadian Rockies and has lived and worked in Borneo, the UK and New Zealand. She lives and works in a container house in Wellington.

About Gavin

Gavin Bishop is an award-winning children’s picture book writer and illustrator who lives and works in Christchurch. The author and illustrator of approximately 60 books to date, his work ranges from original stories to retellings of Ma-ori myths, European fairy stories, and nursery rhymes. Gavin has had a long-held interest in depicting Aotearoa’s history through illustration. 

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Decorating to suit

all the family

This lush jade green office with walls in Resene Mother Nature is a bold but gender-neutral colour, easily accessorised to switch looks â&#x20AC;&#x201C; swap out the artwork and the chair, and it has a different feel. Layered with green and grey accessories, and using black Resene Noir as an accent, itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s dramatic but inviting. The floors are stained in Resene kiwiparent Colorwood Greywash for a relaxed, textural anchor to the room. Styling by Vanessa Nouwens; image by Melanie Jenkins.

Neutral monochromatic spaces will have wide appeal but don’t have to look dull. Using a crisp black like Resene Nero and white like Resene Alabaster with plenty of accessories and texture creates a layered and interesting space. It’s easy to pop in a few accents like ochres or greens to change out the look. Styling by Claudia Kozub; image by Melanie Jenkins.

Setting up house with someone or buying a property together is an exciting time – until one of you brings along a dodgy looking chair from student flat days, and the other wants to embrace a love of purple by painting all the walls lilac! It would be a rare couple or family that agreed entirely on exactly how to decorate a house or what it should look like. Decorating your own space when you don’t have to consider other tastes is easy – you could paint the ceiling pink if you really wanted to. But sharing can throw up all sorts of conflicts.

There was talk of a Wellington couple who could never agree on which wallpaper to use… so spent 20 years in a stalemate, with wallpaper samples pinned to the unfinished wall linings, curling and yellowing as the years went by. You don’t want to be those people! Someone in the family might like cheerful, upbeat colours, but another might feel better with cocooning dark colours. One might like clutter-free rooms, while the other borders on developing a hoarding problem. Maybe one likes modern and the other loves antiques.

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Moody navy blues, like the Resene Indian Ink on the lower wall, are making waves in the interior design world, and are a perfect restful colour for a main bedroom that would appeal to many tastes and suit many styles. Brass details and the ochre velvet chair provide touches of warmth and sophistication and the wall in Resene White Island stops the stormy navy from becoming too overpowering. The flooring is in Resene Raindance â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a dusty blue-grey â&#x20AC;&#x201C; while the bedside table looks bold in Resene Wishing Well. Pile on charcoal-onnavy-on-charcoal bedding and finish with a soft, lowpile rug in steel blue. Styling by Claudia Kozub; image by Melanie Jenkins.

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Smouldering neutral hues create a maturelooking living room and are balanced out with softer shades and a mix of textures. Layers of cognac-coloured accessories in Resene Route 66 and Resene Barnstorm with hints of creamy Resene Poured Milk balance out the near-black walls and timber floors in Resene Suits. The smoky side table and basket in Resene Thunder Road and Resene Rebel layered alongside highly textured soft furnishings in leather, toasted marshmallow and toffee tones create a rich look that is steeped in depth. For a completely different look, near-blacks also look great with soft pastels such as lilacs, baby blues or peachy pinks. Styling by Vanessa Nouwens; image by Melanie Jenkins.

And then the children arrive… Then you start to add children to your family, who develop their own likes and dislikes; these can of course be managed and restricted to their bedrooms. A request for bright orange can be softened to a pale melon, or a lurid green to a classic sage. A child’s bedroom should become their own sanctuary and somewhere they can express themselves creatively. “They can even draw on the walls if you use Resene Write-on Wall Paint,” says Dunedin Resene colour consultant Jill Marsh. It’s a coating that’s applied on top of your chosen colour to turn the wall into a whiteboard-like surface. Or you could try Resene Blackboard Paint or Chalkboard Paint, which comes in a range of colours to provide a chalkboard surface.

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Let your ideas loose all over your walls with Resene Write-on Wall Paint.

Get

! g n i t i r w

Simply apply over your existing light coloured wall paint. Then once dry and cured you can use whiteboard markers to write all over the wall without damaging the surface. And when it’s time to delete an idea just grab a soft cloth or whiteboard eraser, rub out the marker and start again. With Resene Write-on Wall Paint there’s no limit to your ideas.

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0800 RESENE (737 363)

www.resene.co.nz

Bedroom colours Talking of bedrooms, it can be tricky finding a colour scheme that not only works in a bedroom but pleases you both. Blues and greens of any type are calming and relaxing, and these colours are liked by many people of all genders and persuasions. Soft pastel versions of these colours will give you a zen-like lightness, whereas deep sea-storm colours will envelop you in an underwater calm. Try Resene Duck Egg Blue or Resene Secrets for a soothing colour that will help send you off to sleep. “You could embrace one of the latest trends that work in bedrooms and across genders,” advises Jill. “Try eco style with soft greens, pale timbers and textured rugs, or an elegant resort-style room or one with a Scandi vibe with dove grey walls.” One approach is to blend your styles – decide which bits you can each live with and which you can’t. That painting of a zombie or the cutesy kitten picture may just not make the cut. You could approach it as you would picking a team at school, adding elements one at a time. Decide together what’s non-negotiable and what’s flexible.

Hit the shops together Go homewares and furniture shopping together. You may find that while he doesn’t like that sofa, or she that chair, you both like the look of a third item. Shopping together for these items is also a good way to get an insight into each other’s tastes. You can have quite separate spaces if space allows in your home – somewhere to call your own and decorate as you like. Even if you don’t have enough rooms for a she-shed or a he-den, it may be that one decides the style for the ensuite and the other decides the look of the TV room depending on who uses each room the most. A strong gender-neutral colour, like navy blue or botanic green such as Resene Bunting or Resene Family Tree, allows you to create personalised zones within a shared space – a writing area, a reading area, a gaming area, for example – with the addition of a few favourite accessories. Using neutral colours on the walls, such as Resene Black White or Resene Rice Cake, or on bigger items like the sofas can provide a happy middle ground; then everyone can have their say, by adding items in a style or colour they like: cushions, ornaments, rugs, etc.

Call in the experts If you struggle to find common decorating ground with others in the household, bring in a ‘mediator’, such as a Resene colour consultant or an interior designer. An independent view can help clarify and unify varying tastes and they may come up with a scheme or products that none of you have thought of. 

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Never too young for science There is no better time to start exploring the living world than when your children are young. Early childhood offers a window of opportunity to begin inspiring young children with the wonders of nature and science, instilling a deep respect for the environment as well as developing life skills that are important in all areas of their lives. Young children are naturally curious. They constantly demand answers and are on a mission to discover and find reasons for everything they see, hear, smell, touch and even taste. Science provides fascinating answers to many of these questions. This is the time when parents can make a big difference in a childâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s education by providing simple learning opportunities through creative play and exploration â&#x20AC;&#x201C; taking time with their child to observe and discuss nature, discovering the answers to their barrage of questions! Introducing natural science to children early on is important not only for their education, but also for the conservation of our environment. When children are wowed by nature, they fall in love with it. When this happens, they develop a desire to understand everything there is to know about the animals and plants they discover. Helping our children to understand the fragility of different ecosystems, and that all living things (including humans) are interlinked, encourages them to grow into environmentally responsible adults.

Continued overleaf... The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Why do elephants have long noses? Why do cacti have prickles? Why do fantails follow people in the bush? How long is a human intestine?

Teach your children to ‘see’ Point out interesting things. You don’t have to be out in the wilderness to do this – if you live in the city there is still plenty to see. When you are walking to preschool or to the shops or are just out in the garden, point out spider webs, bird nests, bees collecting pollen, lemons on a tree, ants on the pavement, interesting seedpods, or even some nasty mould on the bread – nature is everywhere.

Introduce scientific vocabulary Language, language, language! It is the key to effective communication in any subject. Kids soak it up and remember easily. Wherever possible, use the correct name – why say ‘knee bone’ when you can say ‘patella’? When kids find animal bones, show them the equivalent bone on their body and name it correctly. Children love to compare things to themselves.

When children engage in science at a young age, they develop key life skills. They learn how to question and hypothesise, experiment, problem-solve, draw conclusions and communicate their findings. These important skills transfer into other areas of their lives. Parents are the biggest influencers in a young child’s life and there is no age too young to encourage a love of science. You don’t have to be an Einstein, and in fact you don’t need to know much at all – your job is to inspire and excite them.

How parents can encourage a love of the living world Kids are curious Answer their questions if you can. If not, look up the answers with your child. They will love the idea that you are learning too. Why do elephants have long noses? Why do cacti have prickles? Why do fantails follow people in the bush? How long is a human intestine?

When experimenting, instead of asking what they think will happen, ask them to give you a hypothesis. Ask them their ‘conclusion’ after a simple experiment. When classifying animals use words such as vertebrates (animals with spines), invertebrates (without spines), reptiles, mammals, amphibians. Investigating the features and behaviours of animals opens up a world of new vocabulary – camouflage, hibernation, life cycle, food chain, predator, carnivore, herbivore.

Value kids’ collections Shells, acorns and seedpods are only some of the treasures that small children gather in huge quantities and store in special containers and jars. Collections found in nature are what they value. Provide little jars or boxes for them to store their latest discovery. Talk about what their collection actually is. Where does it grow or live? What is its purpose in nature? Is it living?

Have fun, play and be creative Through play and creative, hands-on activities, children will be fully engaged. Children learn best by doing and the best scientists are creative. When they are young, children don’t need to carry out complicated experiments to learn – simple things like using tweezers found in the bathroom cupboard can be gold. Provide children with a range of vegetables and fruits and get them to extract the seeds using tweezers.

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The Living World By Rachel Rohloff

The Living World is a fun and educational book for children that teaches scientific skills and key scientific vocabulary and explains the living world, with a focus on plants, animals and people. Available from: www.curiate.co.nz www.newshootspublishing.co.nz and selected bookstores. RRP $47.99.

This is a great opportunity to develop their fine motor skills as well as identifying different types of seeds. You can also have fun investigating habitats like the beach and recreate them in paintings, drawings and models.

Be prepared Sometimes as parents we simply don’t have the time to run round the house searching for jars and containers or shopping for a magnifying glass every time our young scientist wants to do some investigating. Instead, spend a few hours one day and put together a basic kit so when your little one is keen to investigate nature, they can just crack on with it. Start the kit off by adding these items: jars and recycled plastic containers with lids, basic craft supplies, glue, wobbly eyes (to make pet rocks and things), a magnifying glass (from the $2 shop), plastic funnels, a tape measure, ruler, flower seeds, vegetable seeds, grass seeds, tweezers, little pond dipping net, childfriendly scissors, recycled yoghurt containers and egg cartons (to plant seeds in) and of course a big plastic tablecloth to keep the mess under control.

Grow plants Most children will embrace the responsibility of planting a seed and nurturing it to maturity and will soon learn what happens if a plant’s needs are not met! Growing vegetables fosters an appreciation and understanding of where food comes from and you may find your children are more enthusiastic about eating vegetables that they have grown themselves. Use interesting vessels to grow seeds in such as egg cartons and orange peels. Kids find it far more interesting and the seedlings can be planted straight into the garden – egg carton or orange peel included.

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Be enthusiastic! If you are excited about nature, your kids will be too! When children are engaged, they learn.

Outdoor adventures The best learning takes place outside, and summer is the perfect time to be outdoors. So, pack up a picnic and spend the day at the beach exploring rockpools and collecting shells. Visit a farm or take a walk in the forest and listen to the different bird songs. Take a trip to the zoo or a wildlife centre. Your local gardening centre is lovely too – get the kids to choose some vegetable plants or seeds for the garden. Children also never tire of a scavenger hunt, so this is a good option. Make the most of the outdoors when it is fine and send the children outside with a jar to fill with nature’s treasures. The most important thing a parent can give their child is the freedom and encouragement to get outside and allow them to explore and discover the joy of the living world for themselves. 

Rachel Rohloff Rachel was a classroom teacher, then spent a decade at a school for girls in London as Head of Design Technology and Science. She co-founded a notfor-profit company, The TestPod, creating science experiences for students and public events showcasing latest innovations. Currently, Rachel is a director of New Zealand Schools Partnership, working with corporate clients to support New Zealand education.

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Gifts

from the kitchen

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During the festive season gift giving has special meaning. It’s a way to thank all the people who have been there for you – teachers, coaches, neighbours, colleagues, people in your community, and friends who have supported you and your wha-nau through this challenging year. Baking gifts is the perfect way to say, “Thank you, I appreciate you!”

Spiced Christmas cookies

Encourage your little ones to get involved as well – even very young children can help mix, measure and stir. They are also learning lessons about the importance of gratitude and how to be thankful for the special people in their lives.

½ tsp each: ground nutmeg, allspice

Best of all, the recipient will appreciate the time and thought you have put into creating a personalised token of your regard for them. Here are some delicious kitchen gift ideas by Chelsea Sugar made easy for everyone to enjoy.

Decorate with Chelsea Icing Sugar, silver balls, glace cherries, etc.

A change from the traditional gingerbread dough, this dough is lighter in colour making them ideal for decorating!

Ingredients 125g butter, softened ¼ tsp vanilla essence 1 tsp ground cinnamon

½ cup Chelsea Caster Sugar 1 egg, lightly beaten

Method Preheat the oven to 180°C. In a food processor, mix the butter, vanilla, spices and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg and mix to combine. Add the flour to make a firm dough. Chill for 15 minutes in the fridge. Roll the dough out to about 5mm thickness and cut into shapes with Christmas biscuit cutters. With a thick skewer, make a hole in the top of each biscuit large enough for a ribbon to be threaded through. Place on an oven tray and bake for 10–15 minutes, until lightly browned. When cool, decorate the biscuits with coloured icing and silver balls.

2 cups flour

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Shortbread stars This shortbread recipe holds together well, making it easy to roll out and press out fun shapes. It happens to be delicious too!

Ingredients 175g butter, softened ½ cup Chelsea Icing Sugar 1½ cups plain flour ½ cup cornflour Pinch of salt Optional: Chelsea Coffee Sugar Crystals, Demerara or Raw Sugar to decorate.

Method Preheat the oven to 150°C. Grease or line an oven tray with baking paper. Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Sift in the flour, cornflour and salt and mix thoroughly with the butter mixture until it forms a dough.

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Knead the dough, then roll out to 10mm thickness on a floured surface. Press out shapes using a biscuit cutter or cut into triangles and place on an oven tray. Press the remaining dough together and roll out again; press out shapes until the mixture is used up. Bake for 30 minutes or until pale golden. Makes: Approx 30 biscuits depending on the size of the cookie cutter. Optional: For a crunchy topping, press on Chelsea Coffee Sugar Crystals, Demerara or Raw Sugar before baking.

Gingerbread people gift jar See photo on page 70.

Dry ingredients 2½ cups plain flour ½ cup Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar

1 tbsp ground ginger 1 tsp mixed spice 1 tsp baking soda

Method Layer all the dry ingredients in a decorative 500ml glass jar. Tie a gingerbread cookie cutter to the jar and a special note tag with the instructions below:

“Simply beat 125g soft butter with ½ cup treacle or golden syrup and 1 egg yolk until creamy and smooth then add the contents of the jar and mix until a soft dough forms. Knead into a ball, wrap and chill for 20 minutes. Preheat the oven to 170ºC and line two baking trays with baking paper. Roll out the gingerbread dough to about 3mm (if it’s sticky roll between two sheets of baking paper or cling film). Use the cookie cutter to make little people shapes. Transfer to baking trays and cook for 10–15 minutes until golden and set. Ice and decorate when cold.”

Raspberry macaroons Ingredients 3 egg whites (extra large), at room temperature ¼ cup Chelsea Caster Sugar 1¼ cups Chelsea Pink Berry Flavoured Icing Sugar, sifted

They will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for only 3–4 days so make sure if you’re giving them for a gift you prepare them the day before gifting. Makes 16 filled macaroons.

Chocolate fudge Ingredients

1 cup ground almonds

Melted butter to grease

Method

1 x 400g can sweetened condensed milk

Preheat the oven to 150ºC conventional (130ºC fan forced). Line 2 trays with baking paper.

100g butter, cubed

Beat the egg whites in a small bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Add the caster sugar, a tablespoonful at a time, whisking until the mixture is thick and glossy (2–3 minutes).

1¼ cups firmly packed Chelsea Soft Brown Sugar 1 tbsp Chelsea Golden Syrup

Method Brush a 20cm square tin with the melted butter to grease, then line with non-stick baking paper. Place the condensed milk, butter, brown sugar and golden syrup over a low heat. Cook, uncovered, for 10–12 minutes, stirring every 2 minutes until bubbles appear over the whole surface of the mixture. Add the chocolate and stir until smooth and well combined. Pour immediately into the prepared tin. Place in the fridge for 1 hour or until firm. Cut the fudge squares as you would like them. Makes about 20 pieces.

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100g milk chocolate, finely chopped

Sift the icing sugar and almonds 3 times through a coarse sieve. In 2 batches, fold in the icing sugar/ almond mixture into the egg white base. Fill a piping bag fitted with a 2cm plain tube. Pipe 4cm rounds allowing space around each macaroon. Tap the trays on the bench so the macaroons spread slightly. Stand for 30 minutes on the bench to form a crust. Bake the macaroons for 20 minutes. Cool on trays. When cool, pipe a round of filling onto half the macaroons and sandwich together.

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Chocolate truffles Ingredients 125g butter or margarine 1 x 400g can sweetened condensed milk 1 cup Chelsea Icing Sugar 3 cups crushed biscuit crumbs ¼ cup cocoa

Method

a tinfoil lined tray to set. A special dipping fork makes the job very easy or use 2 bamboo skewers.

Roll teaspoonfuls of the mixture into large marbles and place on a tinfoil covered tray in the fridge to chill until hard. This should be 3–4 hours in the fridge or 1 hour in the freezer.

Do not store the dipped truffles in the fridge as the chocolate tends to sweat; instead keep them in a covered container in a cool cupboard. The truffles can also be rolled in chocolate hail or coconut.

Place the chocolate melts in a microwave-proof jug or small bowl. Cook on medium power for bursts of 30 seconds, stirring after each burst until the chocolate is just melted and runny.

Melt the butter or margarine in a large microwave-proof bowl on high. Stir in the condensed milk and microwave for another minute. Stir

Dip one cold truffle at a time in the melted chocolate. Stir it around to coat well and lift carefully out onto

Presentation ideas

Leftover wallpaper

Tin can gift holder

Box up your baking and wrap it with leftover wallpaper – textured paper is especially effective!

Clean the used tin thoroughly and make sure there are no sharp edges – tie a piece of ribbon around the tin, or glue on some cheerful fabric.

Mason jars These jars are perfect for bite-sized baked treats. Tie off the lid with some coloured ribbon or twine and add a candy cane or a sprig of rosemary to finish the presentation.

in the icing sugar, crushed biscuits, cocoa, mixed spice and dried fruit. Mix well to combine.

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Muslin Plain coloured muslin makes very effective packaging and looks very stylish when finished off with twine and a po-hutukawa flower (or other foliage if the po-hutukawa are late).

Children’s artwork If you have a budding artist, let them decorate plain butcher paper

Makes about 60 truffles.

(or repurpose some of those paintings that came home from day care or preschool) and use this to wrap up your edible treats. Simply package them in cardboard boxes or reuse plastic containers for a very personal present.

Paper bags Brown paper bags are a more sustainable alternative to cellophane bags. Decorate the bags with glitter and stars, tie with twine or ribbon and attach a shaped cookie cutter, mini whisk or pinecone for a festive touch. 

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Winners

Congratulations to the lucky winners from issue 297

Graco Tranzitions Harness Booster + free sunshade

Graco Turbo Highback Booster + free sunshade

Alicia Kiwi, Rakaia

Tania Hannah, Wha-nga-rei

Crane Rechargeable Double Electric Breast Pump Melissa Fulke, Featherston

Create Your Own Honeywrap Kit Vicki Olsen, Nelson

Three pack of Honeywrap – Ocean in Need Cassandra Fowles, Waikanae

Honeywrap Organic Firestarter Aleisha Taylor, Mosgiel

Win with Zuru – 1 of 4 Smashers prize packs

Win with Zuru – 1 of 4 Pets Alive Fifi

Karyn Jackson, Porirua Evelyn Cameron, Auckland Chloe White, Cromwell Krisa Baker, Wellington

Abby Harris, Upper Hutt Dee Davies, Whakatane Jessy Langton, Taranaki Haley Black, Invercargill

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Wishing all Kiwi parents a peaceful festive break and a wonderful summer holiday! From the Kiwiparent tea

From the Kiwiparent team

The magazine of Parents Centre Aotearoa

Our partners A winning combination Our partnership with Resene, like all our partnerships, provides genuine benefits to our members and their families. This is a time in our members’ lives when they are looking to create a lovely new space for their babies or toddlers. Resene is working with us to make that easier for our members, offering budgetfriendly advice on getting your nursery looking great in time for the birth, choosing the right paint and creating the perfect play area. Our members can access discounts, advice and help from the vast network of Resene ColorShops around New Zealand while our Centres benefit from joint fundraisers and discounted supplies. Catherine Short, Partnerships and Advertising Manager

A word from Resene There is nothing like a new child to encourage you to rethink those white painted walls. Resene is delighted to be working with Parents Centre to help Kiwi children experience more colour in their lives. Decorating a nursery or child’s space is such a popular way to celebrate an impending birth or a new arrival. Our Resene ColorShop staff can help expecting and new parents add colour to their homes with Resene Environmental Paint choices, wallpaper and handy application advice and tips, and special Parents Centre member discounts. As a family-owned company, we know just how important families are. We’ll also be helping promote the services Parents Centre offers to a wider audience so that more Kiwi families can benefit from all the valuable advice and support that Parents Centre has to offer. Nick Nightingale, Managing Director, Resene

Huggies online pregnancy and parenting PC member benefits: Attendees of CBE, Baby and You and toilet training programmes get a Huggies gift pack. Phone: 0800 733 703 www.huggies.co.nz

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Johnson & Johnson PC member benefits: All attendees of Parents Centre CBE and Baby and You get J&J baby bath gift packs and information on science of the skin. www.jnj.com

Philips Avent PC member benefits: Supply breast pads and breastfeeding information to all members. Phone: 0800 104 401 www.philips.co.nz/AVENT

Supporting Kiwi parents

0800 222 966 / www.babyonthemove.co.nz

Resene

The Sleep Store

Baby On The Move

PC member benefits: Various discounts on decorating supplies and paints with Parents Centre membership card.

PC member benefits: 20% off selected items, which are regularly updated.

PC member benefits: 20% off car seat hire, selected buggies and cots for all members.

www.thesleepstore.co.nz content/parentscentre

Phone: 0800 222 966 www.babyonthemove.co.nz

Parenting Place

Talking Matters

www.theparentingplace.com

A campaign to get everyone talking with babies and young children under three years.

www.resene.co.nz

The Baby Factory PC member benefits: Regular Parents Centre discount days offering 20% off all stock including sale items. www.babyfactory.co.nz

SplashSave PC member benefits: 30% discount on water safety package. www.splashsave.co.nz

www.talkingmatters.org.nz

Birthing Centre A free service to women of all ages whose pregnancy is considered lowrisk primary care. www.birthingcentre.co.nz

If you want to partner with Parents Centre Aotearoa, or would like to discuss how this may work for your business, contact Catherine on: c.short@parentscentre.org.nz

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Win great giveaways

Enter online at www.kiwiparent.co.nz and follow the instructions. Entries must be received by 5pm, 8 December, 2020. Winners will be published in issue 299.

Win one of 6 Christmas packs from Zuru Thanks to Zuru toys, six lucky winners will receive a special Christmas pack of fantastic toys to keep the little ones occupied over the holidays. Each pack is worth $86 and contains: 1x Frankie the Funky Flamingo $30.00 1x 5 Surprise Toys Mini Brand Capsule $13.00 1x Potions $18.00 1x Bunch O Balloons Crazy Pack $10.00 1x Itty Bitty Pretty Small Tea Cup $15.00 www.zuru.co.nz

Win a toddler bath prize pack Introduce some fun science to bath time with Boon bath toys – powered by water and imagination. A great range of toys that make bath time even more fun by scooping, pouring and floating! This prize pack from Baby on the Move contains: 1 x pipes bath toy 1 x cogs gears bath toy 1 x jellies suction cup bath toy RRP $86. www.babyonthemove.co.nz

Win a Single Electric Breast Pump from Philips Avent Introducing a new era of pumping with the revolutionary new Philips Avent breast pump that makes expressing simple, fast and gentle. New Natural Motion Technology, mimicking baby’s natural suckling motion, uniquely combines suction and nipple stimulation, for an extremely fast but incredibly gentle, natural milk release. RRP $349. www.philips.co.nz

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Two Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machines to be won Available at The Sleep Store, the brand new Yogasleep Travel Mini Sound Machine combines robust white noise options and a nightlight in one sleek and lightweight pocket-sized device, ready for travel anywhere. The Travel Mini features six different sleep-inducing sounds and soft amber light with three brightness levels. It is super lightweight and fits in the palm of your hand. This rechargeable unit comes with a USB cord. Operates all night long on a single charge. RRP $69.95. www.thesleepstore.co.nz

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