February 2024 Caregiver News: Auckland South Region

Woah, feels like I blinked and it’s now 2024, Manuia le tausaga fou “Happy New Year.”

Welcome back, I hope everyone is revving up for another new beginning. Let’s all take a deep breath before we begin a new year and pat ourselves, and each other, on the back for the wins we’ve had over the festive season in creating connections with our Tamariki/Tamaiti, using our lens of curiosity and understanding.

Even with the excitement of returning to school or starting a new school, new faces, and new places, it will most likely bring challenges for both your whanau/aiga and our Tamariki/Tamaiti. Here’s a little reminder, when tamariki/Tamaiti have dysregulated emotions or meltdowns, it will help them to regulate by knowing the following;

It is just as important to be kind to yourself.

Regulation, reflection, acceptance, and empathy paved the peace for our challenging moments, especially when it was too hot to go outside! Yay, for our hot summer days.

Thanks to family, I managed an overnight respite on Lake Rotoiti, when an opportunity arises, say yes, the change of scenery could be just what you needed.

Training

Sign up for one of our free trainings this year; get curious, become trauma-informed and have more tools at the ready as you become more mindful of yourself and explore the reasons and importance of being a caregiver, supporting and standing for our Tamariki/Tamaiti.

This month we have some great online training options, please click below.

Events

Foster Care Awareness Week is coming up during the first week of March and we are celebrating YOU! We would love to see you at an appreciation event held across Auckland during 3rd-9th March 2024. In our region, we have a whānau event in collaboration with VOYCE and CLM (Community Leisure Management), and some yummy morning tea celebrations in Hamilton & Papakura.

Click here for specific event details and to register your attendance, we would love to see you.

Support Groups

Auckland South/Waikato is a huge area, and from my training, and support calls, I have been told isolation as a caregiver is difficult.

If you feel this, please let me know if you’re interested in having a caregiver support /coffee/walkers’ group in your local area.  Or would online/virtual groups be a better option?

Share your feedback on what you’d like a group to look like: what location, day, or time (evening/day), suits you and any other thoughts you might have! Contact me – aucklandsouth@caringfamilies.org.nz

Franklin Support Group

• Tuesday 13 February, 10AM-12PM
• Town Mouse, 191 King Street, Pukekohe

Remember you can also join our online caregiver Facebook groups to get support and share advice and inspiration!

If you are having trouble joining one of the above groups, or require support, please email me at aucklandsouth@caringfamilies.org.nz or call National office free 0800 693 323.

Roll your shoulders back, take the pressure off, slow down and be kind to yourself; find those ahhh moments as you take that deep breath and set off to face your day 😊

Malo lava

Nu’umoe