They say ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ and Neighbour 2 Neighbour uses this principle of community-based parenting to host a series of structured conversations around parenting to support a nonviolent approach to raising your kids.
Conversation host, Shona Butchart, says the free programme provides community and connection, and a way for community members to support each other on their journey of parenting.
“It’s about connecting people, building a network through Raglan where we know each other and support each other,” explains Shona.
Created by Ruth Beaglehole and adapted by the Te Mauri Tau and the Parenting with Nonviolence team, the programme involves seven hosted conversations, starting off with a large meeting and then meeting in ‘pods’ with small groups of participants in homes around Whaingaroa.
(listen to the full interview below:)
A non-judgemental approach is a vital component for this approach, says Shona.
“Nonviolent parenting isn’t just about physical violence but anything that hurts the heart, mind, body and soul.”
Shona, who has completed the Parenting with Nonviolence programme herself, said that when she first learned about the approach to parenting it, “Felt very right. Like most people I really wanted to be a good parent and had read some other books [about parenting] and none of them felt right to me.”
“I was very relieved to have somebody say; ‘here are some tools that can help support your parenting without hurting your children’.”
Te Mauri Tau, Parenting with Nonviolence and Neighbour 2 Neighbour teams work closely with Ruth Beaglehole who has been a leading voice in the call to end the violence and oppression of young people for over 50 years.
Since 2011, Ruth has done extensive work with Te Mauri Tau, travelling often to New Zealand to support the Te Mauri Tau’s work through workshops and community conversations, as well as to spend time with her family in Whaingaroa.
A passionate child advocate, Ruth has many inspiring stories to share about people from all over the world who have been able to change their parenting habits and really connect with their children.
She promotes the practice of empathy, both with parents and tamariki - promoting the understanding that our own healing is a major factor in being able to become better parents.
The first Neighbour 2 Neighbour community conversation will be held on February 19th. Attending these conversations is free, if you are interested in attending, contact Isabel at isabel@maxnet.co.nz or 0273057638.