Grey Lynn Plunket      
c/- Grey Lynn Community Centre, 510 Richmond Road, Grey Lynn. Phone 378-4565

Caring for Young Families - Whanau Awhina

Taking Care of Yourself:

Caring for children can be fun and rewarding. However, it is also hard work. Parenting can be a demanding, stressful, tiring, and lonely job. It often appears worse if you have problems with housing, money, or relationships. Many parents feel they have little time for themselves, particularly with a new baby in the house.

Some ideas that may help you take care of yourself are:

- trying not to expect too much from yourself. You may find you have less time and energy for other activities for a while. It may help to just do what you feel is essential. When time and energy allows, you can catch up.

- accepting offers of help from friends and family/whanau. Including them in the care of the baby/children and housework may help make things easier for you.

- having time to relax, cuddle, and play with your baby and children.

- getting some rest and relaxation during the day may help, particularly if you are tired.

- having time out for yourself, with your partner or friends and family, leaving baby/children with family/whanau or a trusted friend.

- talking to your partner, family/whanau, friends or Plunket staff about your feelings, particularly if you are feeling stressed or depressed.

- joining a local Plunket or parenting group. These groups can give you a chance to meet and talk with others and share experiences. Caring for a baby at home can feel lonely and isolating. Meeting others may help. Grey Lynn has a local Toy Library, used by around 140 Grey Lynn, Westmere, and Point Chevalier families. For details, please ring Judith Dalley on AK 376-5618.

The Plunket Line: 24 hours, 7 days a week, at 0800 933-922.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed on this website do not necessarily represent those of The Royal New Zealand Plunket Society.