Positive Parenting for Hamilton Ethnic Mums
Learning ways to positively discipline children has been a focus of the Hamilton Ethnic Women's Centre Trust who have been running parenting groups for mothers and grandmothers from Hamilton's ethnic communities.
Janif, Settling In Co-ordinator said the group has built parenting information into their existing play group and also established monthly positive parenting evenings.
"We have mothers and grandmothers from many different ethnicities attending our very popular play group. These include people from Japan, Columbia, Philippines, China, Morocco, Iraq, Solomon Islands, India, South Africa, Malaysia, Korea, Hungary, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, and Nigeria," she said.
The Playgroup cum Parent Support Group is attended by 25 mothers and caregivers and has been running every Wednesday morning since February 2009.
Different play activities for children are introduced each week such as outdoor water play, group work making necklaces out of pasta, music, dance, cardboard houses, paper cut-outs and so on.
"We also share a healthy, wholesome morning tea and then we get onto discussing parenting ideas and shared experiences," said Jenny.
"Some of these discussions were generated from children’s behaviour presented during activities in the Centre."
SKIP parenting resources are also available to take home including fridge magnets, and parenting strategy pack.
For those women not able attend the play group in the day – an evening session – named ‘Great To See You’, has been created. This group of 54 women not only share positive parenting information but also celebrate the role of the mother and the caregiver and their achievements and successes.
