Archive for October, 2007
Crusoe’s Café was perfect for a sunny morning outside. The kids had fun on all the equipment and it was fenced and safe for the Mums (& Al) to sit and chat.
Don’t forget Julie has MOVED (again) so we will be heading up Panorama Drive in Stoke next week.
Please remember to invite grandparents to our Rabbit Island Christmas event this year – Sunday 16th December from 10am – 2pm under the sail shadecloth (booked with Council) including a BOUNCY CASTLE!!!!
Next Get-Together
Mum’s Monday: Julie’s House
176 Panorama Drive, Stoke
10:00am Monday 5 November
Phone 538-0074
If you have an interesting idea for an outing somewhere toddler-friendly – let Adrienne know. You may check ahead on the schedule by selecting the Schedule button on the website. Volunteer to host by sending email to Adrienne.
October 31st, 2007
Term 4 course starts
Nov 12th Richmond
Nov 16th Nelson
To book please contact:
Debbie Harvie 5423367 or 0274221562
or email:g.harvie@slingshot.co.nz
Family Portrait Fundraiser
Wakefield Plunket is offering a chance to have your family portrait taken just in time for those Christmas presents.
November 17th
Receive a large family portrait for only $10!!
Wakefield Plunket are also offering a free Baby Massage Course
November 12th
Please phone Sonya today to book – 539 4321
Stoke Plunket Rooms Upgrade
Raffle results from Baby Bonanza
Monaco luxury package went to Annesbrook, All Black gear and tools went to Tahunanui and Next Generation cleaners and kids gear went to Stoke. Thanks for everyone’s support.
Another fundraiser for our upgrade project is a Style evening (tips for summer from a local Style Consultant) to be held after the busy appeal time. If people would like to know the details please phone or email Mandy on 547-0189 or mandy.bishop@tdc.govt.nz – I expect this to be a popular event and would like our Plunket mums to have the first opportunity to grab some tickets. We would also welcome any volunteers to help with this or other events to complete the upgrade project.
World Prevention of Child Abuse Day Carnival
November 17th 11-1pm
Top of Trafalgar St
Lots of fun, free entertainment for families
World Prevention of Child Abuse Day is an internationally recognised day celebrated all over the world. Local Nelson agencies that work alongside families has got together to organise a great event to recognise this day which we hope will appeal to all ages. These agencies include Big Brother Big Sister, Plunket, Barnardos, Women’s Refuge, Counselling Association, Open Homes Foundation, FamilyWorks, Salvation Army, Family Start, amongst others
There is even an art competition for budding artists. Submit a piece of art showing what you think about “What children need†For more information please contact Fenella Hemm 539 4323 Fenella.Hemm@plunket.org.nz
Newsletter-Urgent!!
This newsletter is a really popular means of letting you know what we are up to at Plunket.
However it is also expensive. Your Plunket Nurse will supply your first copy and then further newsletters will be available from your local clinic. If you would like to receive this via email or would rather receive it via post, please email Sonya.Briggs@plunket.org.nz or if you have a hotmail or yahoo account please email Sonya.briggs@xtra.co.nz or phone 539 4321
Meeting of Richmond Plunket’s Future
Thanks to the new interest in Richmond Plunket it will now remain as a committee. We still need more new members and a new secretary and president. If you would like a new challenge and have approximately 2 hours per month available, please do contact Sonya today. Training is available. All committees would love new members so if you would like to become involved and have a great time doing so contact Sonya today 539 4321.
What do Plunket volunteer committees actually do?
Here are some of the things a committee could do to support children and parents…
· Organise activities for caregivers, such as coffee groups/parent education sessions/social events;
· Advocate for children in the community;
· Organise fundraising so that Plunket can maintain its facilities and services;
· Co-ordinate collectors for Annual Appeal in October;
· Arrange any maintenance on the Plunket Rooms;
· Encourage new volunteers and work as a team – so much is achievable!
Plunket Contacts
Nelson Odette 546 9771
Richmond Jacqui 544 2895
Stoke Mandy 547 0189
Motueka Hayley 528 7802
Murchison Kelly 523 9262
Tapawera Kylie 522 4466
Golden Bay Trish 525 7664
Wakefield Debbie 542 3367
Volunteer Services Leader
Sonya    5394321 sonya.briggs@plunket.org.nz
Plunket Area Office 539 4323
Plunket Car Seat Rental Schemes
Plunket offer car seat options from newborn to toddlers.
Our experienced coordinators undergo yearly Safe 2 Go training.
Seats are available for both short and long term hires.
For sale are booster seats, teather bolts, extension straps.
Portacots, highchairs, prams, are also available for hire.
Nelson Area:Â Â 9 Paruparu Rd Nelson
When:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Mon-Fri
10 – 12 noon
Phone:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 548 3342 for enquiries & bookings
Motueka Area: 8B Pah St, Motueka
When:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Thurs
9:30-11:30
Phone:Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â 528 8480 for enquiries & bookings
Car Seat hire is also available in Golden Bay, Murchison and Tapawera.
Call 539 4323 for contact details for these areas.
www.plunket.org.nz
Sonya Briggs
Plunket Volunteer Services Leader – Nelson Marlborough
19 Bishopdale Ave, Nelson
Ph 03 539 4321
Fax 03 539 4320
sonya.briggs@plunket.org.nz
Work days: Monday and Thursday
October 30th, 2007
Lovely run around in the grass for the kids at MacMillan’s and sweet desserts for the Mums at Bardelicious for Julie’s birthday!
Catching up with Pam on Wednesday this week was fun – feeding the ducks and playing at the Riverside Pool playground. Try the tilt-a-whirl thingy – Ayla and Poppy loved it – especially when Whitnie and Pam had a turn as well! We didn’t let Lorene on in case she went into premature labour!
 
Let’s meet at a new café next week – it’s child friendly and will be nice in the sun in the courtyard. It’s already the end of October (can you believe it???) so our November schedule will tentatively be: 5 Nov – Julie’s New House (Stoke), 12 Nov – Jester House (Tasman), 19 Nov – Rochelle’s House (Stoke), 26 Nov – Mel’s House (Mapua), 3 Dec – Natureland (Tahuna), 10 Dec – Adrienne’s Farm (Appleby), Sun 16 Dec – Christmas Party 10-2pm (Rabbit Island).
This may change as we are all so flexible and spontaneous. The emergency backup plan is Chipmunks in Nelson if we have bad weather etc. I try to keep the website schedule up-to-date and send everyone on my list a txt on Sunday. Don’t hesitate to call me on Monday morning if you have no idea where we are meeting – 544-2088. Please let me know if you want to be added to the txt list or if you want to be taken off the txt list. We need some ideas this year for Monday mornings on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve… something to tire the kids out!
Please remember to invite grandparents to our Rabbit Island Christmas event this year – Sunday 16th December from 10am – 2pm under the sail shadecloth (booked with Council) including a BOUNCY CASTLE!!!!
Next Get-Together
Mum’s Monday: Crusoe’s Café (behind Super Cheap Auto)
Robinson’s Complex, 669 Main Road, Stoke
10:00am Monday 29 October
Phone 547-7221
If you have an interesting idea for an outing somewhere toddler-friendly – let Adrienne know. You may check ahead on the schedule by selecting the Schedule button on the website. Volunteer to host by sending email to Adrienne.
October 25th, 2007
Our plans changed at the last minute and we went to Chipmunks while it was raining. Here is Poppy on her way out taking a little rest.
This coming Monday might be a little too wet for Natureland or Jester House. How about we meet at MacMillan’s Cafe in case it’s wet again. We’ll put Natureland and Jester House back on the schedule! Anyone happy to host during the next month or two?Â
Don’t forget we are meeting for Dessert Night on Thursday 18th Oct to celebrate Carole and Julie’s birthdays. Also, remember to invite grandparents to our Rabbit Island Christmas event this year – Sunday 16th December from 10am – 2pm under the sail shadecloth (booked with Council). Also, if you need to stock up with summer clothes in the right size, the Just For Kids clothing sale is on from 9.30am on Wednesday next week at Richmond New Life Church opposite cemetery on Wensley Road.
Next Get-Together
Mums Monday: MacMillan’s Cafe
Bateup Road, Richmond
10:00am Monday 15 OctoberIf you have an interesting idea for an outing somewhere toddler-friendly – let Adrienne know. You may check ahead on the schedule by selecting the Schedule button on the website. Volunteer to host by sending email to Adrienne.
October 12th, 2007
Thanks so much to Brigid for hosting with two kiddies! Lucky it was a small group – and unlucky that it rained the whole time so we couldn’t play outside! Oh well – let’s hope it’s fine for Natureland this Monday. Our rainy day plan will be Chipmunks – I’ll send a txt if we change venue.
This month we are meeting for Dessert Night on Thursday 18th Oct to celebrate Carole and Julie’s birthdays. Remember to invite grandparents to our Rabbit Island Christmas event this year – Sunday 16th December from 10am – 2pm under the sail shadecloth (booked with Council).
Next Get-Together
Mums Monday: Natureland
10:00am Monday 8 October
Tahunanui Ph: 548-6166
Future get-togethers include a trip out to Jester House next week. We will also celebrate Carole and Julie’s birthdays with a dessert night on Thursday 18 October. If you have an interesting idea for an outing somewhere toddler-friendly – let Adrienne know. You may check ahead on the schedule by selecting the Schedule button on the website. Volunteer to host by sending email to Adrienne.
October 4th, 2007
Most parents eagerly anticipate potty training as a milestone in their child’s development — if for no other reason than that it means an end to changing nappies. But few mums and dads are prepared for how long it can take. Yes, some children get it within a few days. But many more take several months. You and your child have a better chance of success if you know the basics of training and can make the process clear to your child.
A — Assess your child’s readiness
Most people begin training when their child is about two, but some kids may not be ready until well into their fourth year. Watch for the right signs, such as imitating others’ bathroom habits, and don’t pressure your child to start before he’s ready. It’s worth running through a basic checklist to see if he is ready.
B — Buy the right equipment
First and foremost, this means investing in a child-sized potty or a special seat to attach to your regular toilet. Whichever you choose, make sure your child can stabilise himself with his feet so he can push when he’s having a bowel movement. You may also want to pick up an explanatory picture book or video for your child to help him get interested in training.
C — Create a routine
Sit your child fully clothed on the potty seat once a day — after breakfast, before his bath, or whenever else he’s likely to have a bowel movement . This allows him to get used to the potty and accept it as part of his routine. If he doesn’t want to sit on it, that’s okay. Never restrain him or physically force him to sit there. And especially don’t push the issue if he seems scared.
In both cases, it’s better to put the potty away, or at least aside, for a few weeks or a month and then try again. If he’s willing to sit there, fine. But at this stage, don’t even try to explain why he should use it; you just want him to get used to the thing. Make sure it’s always in a convenient place — since it’s portable, your child’s potty can be used in the garden or the playroom.
D — Ditch the nappy
Sit your child on the potty seat without a nappy. Again, let him get used to what it feels like to sit there this way. At this point you can start explaining that this is what Mummy and Daddy (and any older siblings) do every day. That is, undressing before you sit down to go to the bathroom is the grownup thing to do.
If he gets the idea and produces something, that’s fine. But don’t push him to perform. Again, wait until he’s ready and demonstrates a clear interest in using the toilet on his own.
E — Explain the process
It may help to show your child where his bowel movements go. The next time he goes in his nappy, take him to his potty, sit him down, and empty the nappy beneath him into the bowl. This will help him make the connection between sitting and producing. After you’ve emptied his potty into the big toilet, let him flush it if he wants to (but don’t make him do it if he’s scared) so he can see where it goes. Teach him to dress himself and wash his hands when he’s done.
F — Foster independence
Encourage your child to use his potty whenever he feels the urge to go. But make sure he knows that he can tell you, too, and that you’ll take him to the bathroom whenever he wants you to. If you can, let him run around sometimes without a nappy (or any clothing below the waist), with the potty nearby. Tell him he can use it whenever he wants to and remind him occasionally that it’s there if he needs it.
G — Grab some training pants
You may like to try using training pants. Some children like them and they help, others just think of them as a slightly different type of nappy and they defeat the object of the exercise. Some children are encouraged by having real underwear instead.
H — Handle setbacks gracefully
Virtually every child will have several accidents before being completely trained during the day and at night. Don’t get angry or punish your child; after all, it’s only recently that his muscles have developed sufficiently to allow him to hold his bladder and rectum closed at all. Mastering the process will take time. When he has an accident, calmly clean it up and suggest that next time he try using his potty instead.
I — Introduce night training
Even when your child is consistently clean and dry all day, it may take him several more months or years to master night training, so don’t throw away his nappies just yet. At this age, his body is still too immature to reliably wake him up in the middle of the night just to go to the bathroom. You can help cut down on wet nights by not letting him drink too much before bedtime and telling him that if he does wake up in the middle of the night he can call to you to help him get to the potty. You can also try leaving his potty near the bed in case he wants to use it.
J — Jump for joy — you’re done!
Believe it or not, when your child is ready to learn this new grown-up skill, he will. And if you wait until he’s really ready to start, the process shouldn’t be too painful for either of you. He will eventually be trained, and you won’t have to think about it again — at least, not until the next baby…
October 1st, 2007
