Handy websites for parenting websites
Finding relevant parenting information on the big wide Internet can be a challenge, so we’ve put together a list of some of the best New Zealand parent-relevant sites for you to explore.
Family Times
Family Times is produced for parents of children from toddlers to pre-teens, and covers issues of importance and relevance to the family. Parenting, education, health, sport, arts and many other topics are covered in a manner that entertains and informs. This user-friendly publication offers an excellent means for information gathering and reference on important family issues. www.familytimes.co.nz
Parents’ Centre
Parents’ Centres are located in 56 areas in New Zealand and offer four core services to members: childbirth, education, parent support groups/parent education, advocacy/lobbying for parenting, birthing and families. www.parentscentre.org.nz
Plunket
The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society (Inc.) is a not-for-profit organisation that works in partnership with the community and government to support the development of healthy children in New Zealand. It offers a nationwide support network for families/whänau.
PlunketLine is a toll-free, 24/7 telephone helpline offering round-the-clock advice to families on 0800-933-922. PlunketLine Nurses are registered nurses with specialised tele-nursing training and a postgraduate certificate in Well Child Health. In case of an emergency, always ring 111.plunket.org.nz “>www. plunket.org.nz
The ASG Parent & Child Show
Yearly Parent & Child Show in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch. Expectant parents and parents of children from birth through the primary school years have the opportunity to see, try, learn and buy from the widest range of goods and services available to them in their most important role – and all under one roof. www.parentandchildshow.co.nz
Parents Inc.
Parents Inc. is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to making life better for parents and their kids. It offers a wide range of programmes to encourage and support parents. They include Hot Tips seminars on parenting and relationships, Toolbox small-group parenting programmes, Attitude high school programmes, resources and publications. www.parentsinc.org.nz
Father and Child Society
This website contains a variety of resources and links, some of which are produced by the Father and Child Society and/or its members. The aim of the society and its website is to encourage and support dialogue on issues impacting on fathers and their role in families and society. www.fatherandchild.org.nz
Parent.org
Parent.org is a lobby group that engages with government on issues of parenting. www.parent.org.nz
The Ministry of Education
The Ministry of Education (MOE) assists families through comprehensive parenting initiatives, such as the Parents as First Teachers (PAFT) programme and Awhina Maatua, and through information and advice that is available from local offices, in MOE publications and website, and from workshops and seminars. www.ecd.govt.nz/parenting.html
Government website of Child, Youth and Family
This site is a focus for promoting the wellbeing and safety of children and supporting positive parenting. Child, Youth and Family is part of a network of agencies aiming to build an environment where child abuse is not tolerated. You can access news and information about its services and community partnerships, as well as advice and resources to support its vision of safe children, strong families and stronger communities. www.cyf.govt.nz .
Strategies with Kids/ Information for Parents (SKIP)
The SKIP vision is that all children will be raised in a positive way. This involves parents loving and nurturing their children, as well as setting boundaries to guide and teach them.
SKIP supports parents to bring up their children in a positive way, using love and nurture and limits and boundaries. www.familyservices.govt.nz/info-for-families/skip/
Parent to Parent
Parent to Parent is a support and information network for parents of children with special needs. Support is provided voluntarily by trained support parents who have a child with the same or similar needs. www.parent2parent.org.nz/start.htm
Kids Friendly New Zealand Limited
The goal of Kids Friendly New Zealand is to collate information into one area for ease of access so parents can easily access the information they need. www.kidsfriendlynz.com
FamilyWeb
FamilyWeb lists websites/online resources on important topics for New Zealand families. Currently FamilyWeb has information on raising children and supporting young people. http://www.familyservices.govt.nz/info-for-families/familyweb.html
BabyCentre
This is a UK site that can give you a weekly newsletter about your child’s development. It also has loads of other interesting information. http://www.babycentre.co.uk
Parent Help
This is a 24-hour confidential telephone support service for parents and care givers.
For information and referral ring 0800 56 88 56 nationwide. http://www.parenthelp.org.nz/page/index.php
By Helen Pulford (midwife and childbirth educator) owner of:
www.babywebnz.org
Directory for pregnancy, childbirth and parenting web sites.
www.birthresources.org
Childbirth education resources.
