Rebecca writes to her son, Max

SPACE has been a huge part of your life Max.  You attended your very first SPACE session at 3 weeks old, when we went for a visit.  I can still remember that first session – we learnt about baby’s sight.  I remember coming home all inspired and making some black and white pictures to strengthen your vision.  This day out was our first outing together, just you and me!  We then joined SPACE at 9 weeks old.  I loved chatting with the Mums, sharing your achievements and learning more about your developing behavior.  You have made some special friends at SPACE and I can’t believe the amount of growth you have done throughout the SPACE course.  You have grown from a baby, lying on the mink blankets, to an active toddler running around the complex, climbing, painting, exploring and getting up to mischief (in the bathroom!).  What fun you’ve had.  During SPACE you had some of your first experiences – first time painting, crawling through a tunnel, playing with sticky slime, goop and play dough, attending your first swimming lesson and feeding lots of new animals at the Bullswool farm.  And the best part is that I have been there playing with you through it all!  I have especially loved watching your confidence grow each week at SPACE.  You went through a stage where you would sit on my knee for the first half hour before slowly venturing off around the room, returning quickly for a hug before heading off again.  Each week you got more and more confident until finally on arriving you would leave me straight away to go and play! I have loved watching your personality develop and it has been through SPACE that I have learnt more about who you are.  What a special chapter SPACE has been in our life together. 

Welcome to the SPACE Blog!

It is no secret that being a first time parent brings a load of challenges that can be overwhelming.  Adjusting to your new life, new routine, and new baby is a daunting that task that is sure to bring many questions.  Many mothers often feel alone during this transition time, and find it hard to adapt. 

As a SPACE parent, who has adapted to these changes, we hope that you have found some satisfaction in knowing that there are others in the same position as you, and knowing that you have an opportunity to connect with them on a personal level.

Do you remember walking in to your SPACE programme for the very first time? The mixture of emotions you felt as you met a new group of people who were perfect strangers in order to discuss topics, learn about your baby, and reaffirm your thoughts or concerns.  Often parents enter the group with fear of judgment looming, or simply being unsure of what the environment would be like.

These emotions are totally normal, and stress of entering a group setting for the first time can ultimately be a deciding factor for many new parents who are hesitant to join a SPACE program.  We hope that during your time at SPACE you had the chance to connect with other moms and babies in an open environment that was welcoming and receptive.

Now we need your help! Please visit our website and share your stories! We want all parents to feel that they are accepted, and have the chance to be apart of something great!

Do you have a specific memory that has stuck with you throughout your time at SPACE? Did you meet other moms that were struggling with the same topics that you were? Did you gain invaluable experiences from your time with your SPACE group? Did you take anything away from SPACE that you have shared with your friends, or other new moms?

Please share your stories!  We hope our little section of the internet (space.org.nz) can be a warm and inviting place for parents to share all of the great things that are happening at SPACE because of people like YOU!