Spring is well underway – and with recent rain nourishing our region, there is a sense of health and hope for the new life in our area.
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What we had been hoping and waiting for has finally arrived, shifting our conversations about the future from worried uncertainty to grateful momentum.
Similarly, many families are welcoming new babies into the world. Their hopeful waiting is over, and with the safe arrival of their little one come feelings of relief, gratitude and the excitement of nurturing new life. New seasons bring joy and new opportunities, but also the challenge of adjustment.
Professional and social support can be an important part of the journey for any new parent. As the saying goes – it takes a village to raise a child.
New Parents Group
A fresh opportunity to join the new parents group will commence this week to support local parents. The 8-week group program will be delivered locally to connect families in the Dungog Shire with babies 0-12 months of age. A child care volunteer will be available to assist parents with older siblings if needed.
The focus for the new parents group is discovering and developing that all-important bond between baby and caregiver, which has spectacular outcomes for the future health and well-being of the child. Parents will enhance their own confidence and emotional well-being and gain practical and positive parenting skills in an informal, reassuring environment.
The initiative is a collaboration of Dungog Shire Community Centre, Wesley Mission and Hunter New England Health and aims to provide participants with access to professional support, morning tea and of course valuable connection with other families.
At the conclusion of the program, participants can then decide whether they continue catching up informally or join one of the other fantastic playgroups in the shire.
Dungog community play groups
In Dungog, two playgroups meet weekly during school term to provide families with a place to connect and socialise their children through play. Tonya from Wesley Mission facilitates Play 2 Learn 10am Tuesdays at Dungog Public School, while Pam Lawrence has been opening the doors of the Uniting Church hall to families at 9.30am Wednesdays for 30 years.
Families are welcome to attend the first session of the new parents group from 10am to 11.30am tomorrow, Thursday, October 25 at the day care centre on Hospital Road, Dungog.
For more information contact Tonya on 04381 15582 or Ali on 04125 52546.
