Parenting Week is coming – order your tickets now @ www.nht.org.nz

An exciting mix of speakers and workshops are coming together for the mini Parenting Week taking place in the week of 24th-30th August 2009. There’s something for every parent, whether you have babies, primary school age children or teenagers.

Neighbourhood Trust Community Work Coordinator, Tony Marsh says, ‘It’s been a dream of mine for a couple of years now to bring back this event and it just seemed to be the right time.’

Headline speaker, Celia Lashlie, who now lives in Wellington, is a well-known researcher and social commentator. She worked for 15 years within the prison system culminating in managing the Christchurch Women’s Prison until September 1999. In September 2004, she completed the ‘Good Man’ project, facilitating discussion within and between 25 boys’ schools throughout New Zealand, aimed at creating a working definition of what makes a good man in the 21st century. There were some significant insights, which challenged women in particular to rethink the way they interact with the men in their lives if they want to see their sons become the good men they wish them to be. A great opportunity to hear this noteworthy speaker and author. Tickets are on-sale for only $10. Phone or email now as they are already selling quickly.

Sophie Gray, better known as ‘The Destitute Gourmet’, is based in Auckland. She will show how to save money at the supermarket, while also making family cooking more interesting.  Her workshop is packed with practical information, loads of tricks, techniques and suggestions for healthy cost-effective cooking which you will be able to sample.  Limited to 100 people, so book now – only $10.

Helen Mann is well-known in Christchurch as a parent educator and particularly through facilitating the highly effective GAIN programme. Her seminar, entitled, ‘Now how many times have I told you?’ will have a familiar ring for many parents. Helen says, ‘Good communication is the key to successfully managing all children’s behaviour. The focus of this session will be to offer practical ideas on how parents can better talk so children will listen, and listen so children will talk.’ Book now - $5 pp or $8 couple.

On Saturday, there is a full-day workshop (includes lunch, morning and afternoon tea) presented by Jenny and Graham Purkis focussing on ‘Tools for Merging Families – how to make step-families really work’. The latest New Zealand statistics reveal that step-families make up about 45% of kiwi families. It is therefore a cause for concern that these families are failing at the rate of up to 80% within the first three years. Jenny and Graham understand the particular stresses merged families face and give the tools to equip you to form the bonds between your family which help it to stay together.  Well worth the $30 pp or $50 couple.

All these top-line presenters are able to be brought to you by Neighbourhood Trust at low cost courtesy of sponsorship from the Shirley/Papanui Community Board, the Fendalton/Waimairi Community Board, Dove Charitable Trust and promotional assistance from the Community News. We will make known other sponsors as they are confirmed. Bookings for all events to tony@nht.org.nz This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it <!-- document.write( '</' ); document.write( 'span>' ); //--> or phone 355 6522. For more information go to www.nht.og.nz.