Anyone in Christchurch?

[Nimali]

Hi! I recently moved from Colorado to Chch. My partner is a Kiwi and we have a son who will turn one on 15 Feb. I am looking for (and having a hard time finding) like-minded mamas in the area. We practice attachment parenting/peaceful parenting, extended breastfeeding, cosleeping, baby wearing, non-vaccinating, organic eating, etc.

If you're a like-minded mama in Chch, or know someone who is, please contact me! I'm having a really hard time going to "regular" playgroups (Plunket), and being surrounded by moms who do "Baby boot camp" so their 6 months old will sleep through the night, and moms who put their 13 month old bubs in time out in their bedrooms and let them cry for 5 minutes alone, etc. I can't seem to find a single playgroup for attachment parenting, or holistic moms, or anything of the like.

Thank you for any help you can offer!
Nicole

[nznavo]

Hi, I'm from Christchurch but haven't lived there since before I had kids. That said, most of the (not many!) people I know there parent the way you do. Which part of town are you in? I know 'crunchy' parents there who've loved their Plunket playgroups so it must be luck of the draw. Does Piko still have a noticeboard? Is there a LLL who can recommend a playgroup? Homebirth Assoc might be able to help?

[calpurnia]

A friend of mine who lives in Lyttleton with her 9 month old says it's very crunchy! Maybe try some baby groups there?

[accountclosed2]

I think Chch has a Home Birth Association (in Wellington I found that the best way to find crunchy mamas!), and also a Potty Babies group (also usually crunchy mamas). Perhaps a Steiner Playgroup? Playcentre might be an idea, but you will have to get very involved, and I think do their courses and stuff.

And yes, I dropped the Plunket group quickly, not my scene at all.

[dziwozony]

Definitely check the Piko's message board! Or post something there yourself.

I myself am a big fan of Playcentre. It's a parent co-op, so you're expected to get involved (rather than a playgroup where you might just have a cuppa & sit around & chat with other mums while the kids play), but I really think it's an awesome model. Most playcentres invite you to visit 3 times before enrolling, so don't be afraid to at least check it out! It's a great way to meet local mums that might not necessarily have your same parenting approach, but at least support free play & get involved in their child's learning.

Christchurch does have a homebirth group, they hosted the national conference in October, which was awesome. (I think it's called the Canterbury Homebirth Association)

If you are vegetarian, there is also a vegetarian families group that meets regularly.

I live over on the West Coast, so if you ever take a trip over the mountain get in touch (my boys are 14months old & nearly 3 years old).

[simple living mama]

Check out the Avonlea Birthing Center to see if they have any mama groups. I had my baby there and was amazed by the amount of cool women and midwives. They may be able to turn you on to some great mum groups.

[simple living mama]

Nevermind. Avonlea Birthing Centre is now defunct. Sad, it was such a fantastic place for having babies and meeting up with like minded women.

[Kiwiontheloose]

homebirth assoc has a playgroup that meets monthly, also LLL meetings can be good.

if you email me on jennandphil (at) slingshot (dot) co (dot) nz I can give you more info

hope you've found something by now though - I noticed this is a few months old.