Incredible people doing incredible things: greetings and Kia Ora.
Proudly supporting 3159 families
This Newsletter
Membership continues to grow at an alarming rate. The production
and mail out of this newsletter has now reached $25k yes Twenty
Five thousand dollars per year. We are desperate for some sponsorship
towards this escalating cost. So if you have any ideas or contacts
with any businesses that may be interested in this, please get them
to contact the GRG office. We at GRG office are searching also.
GRG Trust is organising a meeting in Auckland for Grandparent/kin
caregivers, if you would like to have your say please contact Di
on 09 480 6530 to register. Registrations close 13th July. The projected
date for this meeting is Wedesday July 19th 2006 10.30am –
12.30pm, concluding with lunch. Child care will be available. We
will confirm the venue upon your registration. The venue will be
central to encompass the wider Auckland region.
Families Commission: For Wider Auckland area.
Parents and carers have a wide range of needs for the care of their
children before and after school and during the holidays. The Families
Commission is inviting parents, carers and children to let us know
how these needs could be best met.
We are supporting a project to develop a Five Year Action Plan for
Out of School Services (OSS). This plan aims to give parents and
carers better access to quality, affordable, age-appropriate care
for their school-age children.
This project is being led by the Ministry of Social Development
(MSD) which is holding nationwide focus groups and one-on-one meetings
to gather information.
As the Families Commission is an independent agency set up to advocate
for the interests of all New Zealand families we are keen to make
sure that all voices are heard.
We are organising public meetings in partnership with community
groups and organisations to provide a relaxed and informal way for
parents and carers to have their say. Childcare will be provided
at these meetings and we’ll put on a light meal.
When this work is completed, we’ll summarise all the feedback
and provide it to the MSD who have the responsibility of developing
a draft action plan for improving services. The Families Commission
will also make available a summary report on the consultation process
to participants and anyone else who is interested.
The draft action plan will then be taken back to the community for
further consultation – this is planned for early 2007 –
before it is finalised and put into action.
GRG Handbook:
This is available in English, Maori and now Samoan. Contact the
GRG office for your free copy if a caregiver.
New Zealand Woman's Weekly.
My name is Rebecca Milne and I am a writer for New Zealand Woman's
Weekly. I have read many articles, both tragic and inspiring, about
grandparents raising their grandchildren in trying circumstances.
If anyone out there would like to talk about their success story
or tragic story, please feel free to contact me.
I'd like to take this opportunity to outline the benefits of working
exclusively with New Zealand Woman's Weekly. As a respected and
iconic New Zealand publication, we can be trusted to tell your story
accurately and with respect. We are happy to give you editorial
control of the article. And our style of writing ensures the correct
message is portrayed.
I would like to take this opportunity to thank Diane for allowing
me this space in your newsletter. She understands the importance
of getting your message out to the wider community.
I can be contacted via e-mail: rebecca.milne@nzww.co.nz or call
me directly on (09) 373 9446.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thanks again, Rebecca Milne
Free Caregiver
Courses: July & August 06.
Southern Nelson Caregiver Induction 17, 24, 31 July Mon eve per
4 hrs
Central Gisborne Understanding Maltreatment 19 & 20 July Wed,
Thurs
Northern Manurewa Understanding Maltreatment 21 & 22 July Fri
pm, Sat
Midlands Rotorua Caregiver Induction 21 & 22 July Fri pm, Sat
Southern Christchurch Managing Behaviour 21 & 22 July Fri, Sat
Midlands Taupo Legal Issues 22 & 23 July Sat, Sun
Central New Plymouth Caregiver Induction 22 & 23 July Sat, Sun
Northern Takapuna Caregiver Induction 28 & 29 July Fri pm, Sat
Midlands Whakatane Managing Behaviour 28 & 29 July Fri pm, Sat
Central Palmerston North Understanding Maltreatment 28 & 29
July Fri, Sat
Southern Oamaru Managing Behaviour 28 & 29 July Fri, Sat
Northern Whangarei Managing Behaviour 29 & 30 July Sat, Sun
Central Wanganui Caregiver Induction 01 & 02 August Tues, Wed
Southern Blenheim Caregiver Induction 04 & 05 August Fri pm,
Sat
Midlands Paeroa NVCI 05 & 06 August Sat, Sun
Central Masterton Legal Issues 05 & 06 August Sat, Sun
Southern Christchurch Understanding Maltreatment 05 & 06 August
Sat, Sun
Southern Balclutha Legal Issues 09 & 10 August Wed, Thurs
Northern Takapuna Legal Issues 10 & 11 August Fri pm, Sat
Central New Plymouth Older Child 10 & 11 August Thurs, Fri
Central Lower Hutt Child Health 10 & 11 August Thurs, Fri
Midlands Whakatane Family Dynamics 11 & 12 August Fri pm, Sat
Midlands Tauranga Caregiver Induction 11 & 12 August Fri pm,
Sat
Southern Blenheim Safe Caring 24 & 25 August Thurs, Fri
Midlands Paeroa Safe Caring 25 & 26 August Fri pm, Sat
Southern Greymouth Caregiver Induction 25 & 26 August Fri pm,
Sat
Northern Kaitaia Caregiver Induction 26 & 27 August Sat, Sun
Northern Manurewa Managing Behaviour 26 & 27 August Sat, Sun
Central Napier/Hastings Older Child 30 & 31 August Wed, Thurs
To register: please contact Maxine Carroll on 0800 227 305 or fax
04 9132168.
CYF will reimburse petrol money and child care costs.
Self-help Online
A New Zealand website offeringinformation, inspiration, hope &
healing.
• HELPFUL RESOURCES: Information about challenging issues
such as depression, separation, grief, abuse, anger, anxiety, relationship
difficulties and parenting problems.
• COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS: Links to many community groups and
agencies that offer help and support.
• DISCUSSION FORUM: Mutual support and encouragement through
the sharing of experiences, feelings and ideas. Connection with
others, who are interested in self-help, personal growth and healing.
(Moderated)
• FREE DOWNLOADS: Many checklists and excerpts from self-help
books by Kay Douglas: Invisible Wounds, Power Games, Living Life
Out Loud and Challenged by Childhood.
• BOOKS: Wonderful selection of quality self-help books on
many subjects of interest.
• UPLIFTING MESSAGES: Encouraging ‘Warm Fuzzy’
messages sent by email each day (by request).
• FREE EMAIL NEWSLETTER: Featuring uplifting stories, inspiring
books and helpful information (by request).
Participate! Spread the word! Help make New Zealand’s first
self-help online community happen! www.self-help.co.nz
New Payment Rates as of April 1st 06:
CYF Board Payment:
0-4 years = $114.05. 5-9 years = $133.95. 10-13 years = $148.86.
14+ years = 163.67.
Unsupported Child Benefit rates.
0-4 years = $97.76. 5-9 = $115.42. 10-13 = $124.24. 14+ $133.05
Therefore
Grandparents/kin Carers children are worse off by:
0-4 = $16.29. 5-9 = $18.53. 10-13 = $24.62. 14+ = $30.62
Not to mention that children under CYF also get ‘extra’s’
clothing etc etc.
Now this may not seem to be a lot of money, but to struggling Grand’s/kin
it does make a difference.
NZ Herald Article:
Grandparent-carers count the cost of a broken Budget pledge
Tuesday May 30, 2006,
By Simon Collins
Grandparents raising grandchildren say they feel "betrayed"
by the Government's failure to carry out an election promise to
pay some of them the same as other foster parents.
Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope told Otago pensioners
Adrian and Leonie Vogel last December that the "long-standing
anomaly" between relatives and non-kin foster parents would
be addressed in this year's Budget.
Labour's social policy at the last election, launched by Prime Minister
Helen Clark at an Otahuhu family centre last September, promised
that about 700 grandparent-carers receiving superannuation would
get the same payments as other foster parents. But the Budget has
come and gone with nothing for grandparents.
At present they and other "kin carers" get only the unsupported
child benefit of between $97 and $133 a week, an average of about
$20 a week less than the foster care rates.
Mangere grandmother Virginia Peebles, 65, who has cared for her
13-year-old grandson James single-handedly since her husband went
into hospital after a stroke 3 1/2 years ago, said she struggled
to cope on her present income of $327 a week - $203 a week for her
half of the couple's super, plus $124 in unsupported child benefit.
"If you saw my lace curtains at the moment ... I wouldn't dare
wash them because they would fall apart," she said.
"If I got the higher rates, I would be able to say, 'Right,
in two months I could buy those new curtains'. It would mean that
we could put money aside to have a holiday."
James, who is almost 2m, has Asperger's syndrome and the mental
powers of an eight-year-old. He attends Mt Richmond Special School.
At first, both Mrs Peebles and her husband were working, but her
husband's stroke changed that. Mrs Peebles herself has arthritis
and has had both hips and both knees replaced.
She said she had been "waiting very patiently" for the
extra $20 a week and felt "very let down" when there was
nothing in the Budget. "We are swept under the carpet and not
considered," she said.
"Most of us have taken these children on because there was
in some respects no choice. If we didn't do it, they would be costing
the Government a fortune."
Mr Vogel, 74, a former electricity linesman who emailed the Herald
about the issue, said he and his wife Leonie, 61, supported two
grand-daughters aged 17 and 13 on their pension and unsupported
child benefit. They live in a former school between Oamaru and Dunedin.
He said when they visited Work and Income NZ to find out about the
extra cash they were told there was "nothing going".
Mr Benson-Pope said he recognised there was "an inherent unfairness"
for grandparents under the present arrangement.
"I remain committed to extending the support provided for grandparents
raising grandchildren and other carers on a pension, in particular
those taking on caring due to family breakdown, to provide them
with the sort of allowances provided to foster parents," he
said.
"I have asked officials to provide advice on options to better
align the unsupported child's benefit and foster care allowance
provisions. This work is under way but is not yet complete.
"Additionally, I can confirm that grandparents who become the
main carer for a child may currently be entitled to the in-work
payment and the accommodation supplement under the Working for Families
package," he said.
CARE GAP
* The promise:
Grandparent-carers on superannuation would get the same payments
as other foster parents - between $111 and $159 a week depending
on the child's age.
* The reality:
Kin carers continue to get about $20 a week less than the foster
care rates.
Additional note from GRG
The figures stated in this article are wrong, it would mean a difference
of $30 odd per week per week for this grandmother and there is no
mention of the 'extras' that Foster Care people get in clothing
Allowances etc
Letter:
I was delighted to read the report by Simon Collins drawing attention
to the failed Election Pledge by Helen Clark that Grandparents Raising
Grandchildren, on Superannuation, would receive parity with CYFS
Foster Care Givers.
As Simon noted this was expected by all of us to have been addressed
in this years Budget. To say we are bitterly disappointed and feel
betrayed is certainly true.
However may I correct the figures quoted, Parity would have meant
an increase of at least $34.00 per week for Virginia Peebles not
$20.00, in addition her Grandson would receive Medical Fees, Dental
Fees, Eye Care costs if needed, all School Costs including Uniforms,
Sports Fees/uniforms if required, a Quarterly Clothing Allowance
of approximately $229.63 and also funding for both Birthday and
Xmas Gifts!
It is those additional costs for us that actually break our budgets.
Many of us live from payday to payday worrying how we will manage
to juggle the funds this week, especially if the children or, even
worse, we get sick, always remembering that a Doctors visit and
Pharmacy costs of only $50.00 would amount to a QUARTER of Mrs.
Peebles weekly income! I am unsurprised her net curtains are old!
# 2
Social Development Minister David Benson-Pope claims that grandparents
looking after their grandchildren may be entitled to the In-Work
Payment under the Working for Families package. He conveniently
fails to mention that they must do paid work to qualify. So if a
grandmother has to withdraw from paid work to do the hugely demanding
unpaid work of looking after someone else’s children, she
is deemed to be unworthy of the In Work Payment because she is not
working at least 20 hours a week for money. The tragedy is that
this discrimination denies the grandchildren their necessary income
support. The In Work Payment at a minimum of $60 a week really matters
to these and other families who miss out.
Dr Susan St John: Economics spokesperson CPAG
God moves in Mysterious ways:
The Herald article touched the heart of the Managing Director of
Dial a Drape Auckland. Evan contacted Virginia on the 9th June and
asked could he call around. He duly arrived and Virginia was a little
confused about what was happening (shock we suspect). Evan told
her his company would be replacing all her sheer nets in her home.
She kept asking him how she could pay for them. Evan dropped a bomb
shell. No payment at all we are doing this for you and James free
of charge. Virginia, when she spoke to us was still in shock, she
thinks it all must have been a dream, but there on her couch is
the large sample of fabric that Evan had left her. She said James
(her grandson) will be thrilled.
So to Evan and Dial a Drape we thank you sincerely, the kindness
you have shown is a wonderful example of a Community with a Heart.
The National Council of Women of New Zealand (NCWNZ) shares the
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (GRG) frustration at the Government's
continued failure to resolve the inequitable payments and eligibility
for allowances for grandparent carers.
"This is not a new issue and there is no excuse for allowing
inequitable funding of grandparents who are entrusted with parenting
our next generation," said Christine Low, National President,
in response to the GRG's complaint about the broken election promise.
"What message does this send to the children in their care?"
NCWNZ established policy in support of Grandparents seeking equitable
funding and allowance entitlement in 2002.
"The matter was raised with the Government in 2002. Four years
on and the Minister reports he is still seeking advice," said
Low. "Perhaps the Minister would be best advised to take the
advice of those most affected; the grandparents and children in
their care who are stating very clearly that they struggle to make
ends meet."
The failure to ensure these families receive the same entitlement
as foster parents is, as the Minister, Hon David Benson-Pope stated,
“inherently unfair". Grandparents have already made a
considerable social investment in raising their own children. To
expect them to go on to raise the next generation as well is outrageous,
especially when in many cases their only income is their Superannuation
which was never intended to support raising children as well. This
puts these children at a significant disadvantage compared to their
peers.
"NCWNZ calls on the Minister to expedite the work by Officials,
so that the children in the care of these grandparents enjoy the
opportunities afforded to their peers," concluded Low.
ENDS
Further Information:
Christine Low, National President
National Council of Women of New Zealand
Ph 03 357 8887 or 04 473 7623, P O Box 12 117, Wellington
######## Questions in the House:
Parliament 14/6/06
Question 3: Childcare-Grandparents
Press Release by Office of the Clerk at 5:58 PM, 14 Jun 2006
( Uncorrected transcript-subject to correction and further editing.
For corrected transcripts, please visit: http://www.clerk.parliament.govt.nz/hansard
)
Childcare-Grandparents
3. JUDY TURNER (Deputy Leader-United Future) to the Minister for
Social Development and Employment: Does he stand by his statement
that he remains committed to providing grandparents raising grandchildren
"with the sort of allowances provided to foster parents";
if so, what actions have been taken to achieve this?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE (Minister for Social Development and Employment):
In the 2005 Labour manifesto we said that we will "Extend the
support provided for grandparents raising grandchildren and other
carers on a pension, in particular those taking on caring due to
family breakdown, to provide them with the sort of allowances provided
to foster parents." I am committed to delivering on this policy,
and I am pleased to inform the member and the House that this issue
is under active consideration.
Judy Turner: Will the Minister confirm that he is willing to work
with United Future on future policy work regarding kinship carers,
in an effort to bring action to this area, which has been overlooked
for too long; if not, why not; if so, what areas does he consider
the most pressing?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: Yes, I can confirm that, and I welcome the
interest and involvement of the member in ongoing policy development
in that regard.
Hon Brian Donnelly: Will the Minister consider giving grandparents
raising grandchildren any assistance with expenses, such as the
legal fees they may incur in gaining custody, when a parent of their
grandchildren can get legal aid to maintain the status quo; additional
help for grandchildren with special needs; or consideration of the
financial circumstances of grandparents who are raising more than
one grandchild. If not, why not?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: I am certainly happy to look at those issues.
I point out to the member that the current entitlements include
family assistance, the orphans benefit, the unsupported child's
benefit, and the foster care allowance, as appropriate.
Judy Turner: Can the Minister explain whether the difficulties in
closing the widening care gap are primarily financial or legislative,
and can he provide details of those difficulties?
Hon DAVID BENSON-POPE: No, I do not have information before me that
would enable me usefully to answer that question at this point.
ENDS
Bowen State Building, Bowen Street, PO Box
12 136, Wellington. Telephone: 0-4-916 3300 . Facsimile: 0-4-918
0099
13 June 2006
Diane Vivian, National Convenor
Grandparents Raising Grandchildren Charitable Trust
Dear Diane
I have received a copy of your newsletter of April 2006 and thought
it might be helpful if I clarify some of the concerns raised about
Work and Income. In particular your newsletter mentions that Work
and Income are requesting extra details from grandparents who have
custody of their grandchildren, and grandparents are unable to access
other government funding.
When a grandparent applies for Unsupported Childs Benefit and they
provide Custody and Guardianship Orders from the Courts, Work and
Income are still required to establish that there is a family breakdown
for the client to qualify for Unsupported Childs Benefit. It may
be necessary to hold a family meeting to establish whether a family
breakdown has occurred. An applicant does not need to get a letter
from a family court lawyer stating why guardianship and custody
has been granted by the Courts, although this may confirm that the
reasons these were granted was due to a family breakdown.
Where CYF have been involved with the child, copies of Court Orders
that are in place are required and also a copy of the Family Group
Conference outcome or a copy of the court-approved plan. Where this
is not available it will be necessary to hold a family meeting to
determine that there has been a family breakdown.
Family Assistance is financial help Inland Revenue pays to qualifying
families with dependent children. It includes Family Support, In-Work
Payment, Family Tax Credit and Parental Tax Credit. Each part of
Family Assistance has its own qualifying criteria. A grandparent
raising a grandchild can receive Family Assistance payment where
they meet the qualifying criteria, If a grandparent is receiving
an income-tested main benefit the child may be included and the
grandparent can receive Family Support.
Clients who receive an Unsupported Childs Benefit or Orphans Benefit
can receive an In-Work Payment, but not Family Support or Family
Tax Credit.
The In-Work Payment was introduced from 1 April 2006 for low and
middle income working families with dependent children. The objective
of the In-Work Payment is to make work pay, improving the level
of income for families in or moving into employment. The In-Work
Payment replaces the Child Tax Credit.
The In-Work Payment is paid to families with dependent children
who are not receiving a main benefit and who are working a specified
minimum number of hours a week. For a sole parent the requirement
is 20 hours a week and for couple it is a total of 30 hours a week.
The In-Work Payment is administered by Inland Revenue and is paid
in addition to Family Support.
The In-Work payment is paid at $60 a week, before abatement, for
working families with one, two or three dependent children. For
working families with four or more dependent children, the In-Work
Payment will be paid at an additional $15 per child a week.
Some clients could be financially better off receiving In-Work Payment
instead of an abated rate of benefit. It is important that these
clients discuss their circumstances with their Case Manager at Work
and Income.
I hope this information clarifies the situation for you.
Pat Thomas
Manager, Ministerial and Executive Services
###############
Nits:
Oh my goodness, here I am at 60 years of age and I have caught NITS
from our youngest grandchild we raise. Who ever, in their wildest
dreams thought this would be happening at our age? When I was 5
years old I got them from school and in those days they treated
us with a liberal dose of kerosene upon our unsuspecting scalps
and boy did it pack a stinging punch of not only scalp but also
eyes. Natural treatments today have not taken me back 55 years to
my day……Such is life!
The Quail Family:
For many months now we have had a family of 13 Quails visit every
morning for bread, much to our delight. We all have taken a keen
interest in how this family works. One will come in first and check
the area out then call to the others and out from the bushes they
all run. Then one male bird will fly (clumsily) up into a nearby
tree, where he stands guard with his little head checking out the
area, backwards and forth looking for danger, as the rest feed.
Then another will fly up and take his place whist he feeds. If they
get a fright and fly off to trees nearby one will make a loud call
to let others know it is safe and they all return. When it is time
to go they all walk along in an orderly family in line. If one steps
out of line it gets a sharp quick peck to toe the line. If a cat
should appear the call is piercingly loud and they know it and all
fly to safety. A family working together! Guess we are the equivalent
to a ‘Food Bank’ in the Quail world.
############ Four Quick Child Raising Tips
These 4 quick tips have been proven time and again to work and can
make your burden as a parent easier. Do not view these ideas as
an obligation. Rather use them as you see fit to make your job of
raising your child easier.
1- Dealing with Disrespect: The next time your child speaks disrespectfully,
give him a hug and a kiss and say that you love him very much.
The reason these two techniques work is that many times children
act out in order to irritate their parents. This gives them a feeling
of control. By showing that this behavior doesn’t bother you,
it takes away a lot of the incentive for your child to act this
way. However, when you employ these techniques you have to do them
in such a way that that it comes across that their behavior really
doesn’t bother you. Make sure that you execute them lightheartedly
and with happiness. Your child should not detect any spitefulness
from you.
2- The Power of the Unexpected: Do unexpected favors for you child
every so often. Bring them home a small unexpected gift and say
you were thinking of him. Surprise your child with a yes answer
when he is expecting no. Children have great appreciation for a
kindness that they did not anticipate. (This works great with your
spouse, also.)
3- Since You are Doing it Anyway: If you are going shopping anyway,
take one of your children along and use this as an opportunity to
do something together. Since you are cooking or doing the dishes
anyway use the opportunity to have a conversation with your child.
There are many opportunities during the day where you have to do
things. Transform these anyway times into an opportunity to be close
with your child.
4- The Tantrum Technique: The next time your child throws a tantrum,
remove all the breakable objects in the area or else escort your
child to a place that you have made tantrum proof. Once your child
is there, encourage him to continue his tantrum. After a few times
doing this many children stop throwing tantrums
Anthony Kane, MD
Internet Safety:
To ensure that your child's experience on the Internet is a safe
one, parents need to check their child's website activity and email.
Even for teens, who might think of this as an invasion of privacy,
parents need to talk openly to them about their Internet use. Older
teens are actually more likely to get into trouble than younger
children, because they are more apt to explore the out-of-the-way
nooks and crannies of cyberspace and reach out to people outside
of their immediate peer group.
If you decide to use software that will block or restrict your child's
access to certain websites, discuss this decision with your child
so that he or she will understand why it is necessary. Here are
other safety tips to consider:
1. Spend time with your child on the computer. Put the computer
in a place that can be easily accessed by the entire family. Use
the Internet with your child to play games, plan for a family vacation,
or learn about new places and people. Ask your child to teach you
more about the computer and to show you certain tricks he or she
may have learned. Not only will you gain computer knowledge, you
will also get valuable information on just how savvy your child
is on the computer. Make sure to ask your child what he or she likes
on the Internet and to show you favorite sites.
2. Let your child know that you will be periodically watching and
monitoring his or her online activities.
3. Share an online pseudonym, password, and email account with your
child. In this way, you can monitor online correspondences and the
Internet sites that your child has accessed.
4. Never, under any circumstances, allow your child to have face-to-face
contact with someone they met online without your permission. If
you agree to the meeting, accompany your child and arrange for it
to take place in public.
5. Don't allow your child to go into private chat rooms without
your permission and supervision.
6. Monitor your credit card bill. Many pornographic online vendors
require credit cards in order to have access to their sites.
Teach your child to deal
with stress:
To learn to deal with stress, a child needs to develop an inner
watchdog that can recognize when emotions, duties and responsibilities
could or are beginning to feel overwhelming. Teach these techniques
to your child so that she will know when she is stressed and what
attitudes, behaviors and insights are good coping strategies.
1. Identify symptoms of anxiety
Take inventory of your inner voice when it repeatedly announces,
"I'm worried about ____." Whether it's that upcoming math
test, party or soccer game, make note of the silent alarm bell in
your head. Catch yourself, and pay attention to nervous habits:
hair twirling, nail biting, eye twitching, foot tapping.
2. Ask for help
You don't have to handle everything solo. Look for a helping hand.
Or you can delegate a portion of a task that is overwhelming. Even
the act of venting to someone about all the stress you feel will
help you find emotional support and nurturing.
3. Create an action plan to handle an upcoming worrisome challenge
Divide the task up into parts you can manage. A one-step-at-a-time
approach divides and conquers anxiety.
4. Identify activities that relax you
Listening to music, talking a walk, calling a friend -- those are
healthy diversion techniques. Take note of the things that bring
you pleasure, and exercise them when you need a lift or distraction.
5. Analyze how you explain failure
Do you blame yourself? Laying blame and taking responsibility are
two different things. Pessimists blame themselves; optimists don't.
Don't say, "I failed the test because I am stupid or incompetent."
Do say, "I failed because the test covered material I didn't
focus on when studying." In the latter situation, you are in
control of changing the situation for the better. Realize that you
can plan more effectively for similar challenges in the future.
Beating up on yourself is self-defeating; it leaves you feeling
powerless when, in fact, you are not.
6. Get enough sleep and eat properly during tough times
When your schedule is packed with events, chores, challenges and
responsibilities, make sure you take care of your basic needs first.
If you become overtired or undernourished your body is less capable
of performing well under pressure.
7. Purge yourself of intense emotions
Keeping a journal is a helpful way to express your anger, sadness
or disappointment. When you write it down, you are, in effect, transferring
the emotion out of your body and onto paper. This process helps
you understand what's behind the emotions, too.
8. Draw boundaries for yourself, within reason
Can I land the lead in the play? Can I drop 20 pounds by prom night?
Is that possible or impossible? Reach high with your expectations,
but just short of setting unattainable goals.
9. Set priorities
There are times when the whole world seems like a to-do list. Take
out the garbage. Finish that homework. Study for the test. Read
the book for a report. Practice that musical instrument. Run so
you are conditioned for the game. Do some volunteer work. Shop for
shoes for the dance.
Learn to decide what is most important, and focus on that first.
Arrange your to-do list in order of importance. Sometimes it's best
to put off till tomorrow so you can manage today.
10. Get physical
Exercise revs up your body and makes you feel more hopeful and energized.
No matter how much is on your plate, find time to get outside and
walk, run, bike ride, skate, swim, play tennis or partake in whatever
physical activity delights you.
Fun for the Family:
Have guests write their name on a quart-size Zip lock freezer bag
with permanent marker.
Crack 2 eggs (large or extra-large) into the bag (not more than
2) shake to combine them. Put out a variety of ingredients such
as: cheeses, ham, onion, green pepper, tomato, hash browns, salsa,
etc. Each guest adds prepared ingredients of choice to their bag
and shake. Make sure to get the air out of the bag and zip it up.
Place the bags into rolling, boiling water for exactly 13 minutes.
You can usually cook 6-8 omelets in a large pot. For more, make
another pot of boiling water.
Open the bags and the omelet will roll out easily. Be prepared for
everyone to be amazed.
Nice to serve with fresh fruit and coffee cake; everyone gets involved
in the process and a great conversation piece.
This is Cute: ?
A second grader came home from school and said to her mother, "Mom,
guess what? We learned how to make babies today."
The mother, more than a little surprised, tried to keep her cool.
"That's interesting," she said. "How do you make
babies?"
"It's simple," replied the girl. "You just change
"y" to "i" and add "es."
Di
National Convenor and the team.
E te Atua, aroha mai..... O God shower us with love
Ka kite
* Please feel free to send this report on to others whom you think
may be interested:
* Please pass this on to other grandparents/kin carers you know
of.
* Views expressed in this newsletter may not be the views of the
GRG Trust.
* GRG Trust Head Office hours are 9am-3pm daily. (We raise grandchildren
too)
* We are totally a voluntary organisation.
* All donations to the GRG Trust are tax deductible.
