Kia ora koutou,
Crikey, with only weeks to go until the last day of school, who has had time to organise Christmas? This year in our house we are transferring the focus from gifts to experiences. And it is not as easy as it sounds let me tell you. While we are going to have one or two gifts, the main focus will be on sharing positive experiences together. So, Papa and the kids have been collecting nice long branches over the last couple of weeks to build a hut over the Christmas break.
Nyvonne Krause
Auckland South Regional Coordinator
09 281 5609 or 027 501 0395
They also have a good collection of small blocks to make wood rocket stoves (Swedish torches) for cooking on. Papa made friends with the local tyre outfit and managed to secure the kids a whole lot of inner tubes that are going to make awesome rafts, complete with lifejackets of course. I got some little nets from the $2 shop that will be presents and then handy around the beach. Lots of construction and adventure planned with lots of fun and togetherness. Fingers crossed it’s not Papa that gets upset and doesn’t want to play anymore! I’ll try my best to get some good pics to share with you all.
Whatever your focus is these holidays don’t forget to share some of that focus on yourselves. Remember the A in PACE is for acceptance. That acceptance is not just about the children. It is for us as well. Accept you do the best you can. Accept you are human and sometimes get it wrong. Accept you are an amazing human, being amazing with some of our most vulnerable children. Even when you don’t feel amazing, trust me you are!
Happy Christmas e te Whānau!
SUPPORT
While we are all busy with our youngsters these holidays it is important to remember your networks. If you have done our Making Changes workshop you may recall one of the exercises we did. It is the Demands vs Resources activity. Have a think about your demands these holidays and what resources can you draw on to support you to meet those demands. Is there anyone in your circle you can call on for that support? It could be having someone to chat or laugh with or even better someone to take the kids for an hour while you catch your breath. Is it sharing dinner duty? Or other kid related duties? Whatever or whoever you consider a resource, don’t delay, make it or them part of your network.
TRAINING
As we slow down for the year and make plans for next year, we would love to hear from you what works and doesn’t work in regard to our training opportunities. If you would like to host a training session at your place next year, get in touch with us and let’s see if we can make it happen for your group.
As always you can click on to our website and check out what is hot right now. Our 2023 training calendar will be out soon so keep your eyes peeled for that too.
EVENTS
Family Fun Days
Tickets for the Hamilton and Papakura events have all been snapped up, so I’m looking forward to seeing many of you there!
If you would like to get your hands on the last tickets for the Family Fun Days in Thames on the 17th of December, message me on 0275010395.
I am looking forward to catching up with you in the mighty Waikato and then in “Kura” on the 10th. It’s been so long since we’ve been able to gather so let’s make the most of it!!
Nyvonne