TOTS TO TEENS APR-MAY 2023

3 | From The Editor

We need to talk about money.

3 | printables

Download these handy printables and use them to help organise your family life.

5 | GOOD TO KNOW

News, views and things you need to know about.

7 | Is my child ready for primary school?

Is my child ready for primary school?

8 | The under-the-radar child

How to help your schoolkid thrive.

9 | HAPPY CHILDREN = GREAT LEARNERS

Giving the best possible opportunities to students

Tots to Teens x Simplicity cost-of-living survival guide

11 | Old wisdom

What we can learn about money from our grandparents.

12 | Tackling the hidden costs of living

Learning to be smarter about our finances.

13 | How you can help your kids save

Raising money-savvy children.

14 | Manchester Unity

Working together to help and support all Kiwi families to make life more affordable.

15 | WHAT’S ON IN THE NORTH ISLAND

Family-friendly things to do, see, and experience.

16 | WHAT’S ON IN THE SOUTH ISLAND

Family-friendly things to do, see, and experience.

17 | Buon appetitO!

Italian-inspired recipes to tempt your tastebuds.

18 | Taking care of you

Parents are people, too.

19 | Getting your child’s immunisations up-to-date

How to sort it without stressing.

21 | How much sport is too much?

And why specialising too early doesn’t give them any advantages.

22 | WIN!

A bunch of cool loot that could be yours.

23 | How to… Plan a Kiwi family holiday

And make everyone (mostly) happy.

25 | FAMILY FUN

Games and challenges for the whānau.

26 | Easter bunny nests

Craft a cute sweet treat.

LEARN ABOUT NZ LTD T/A TOTS TO TEENS – WIN STUFF: TERMS & CONDITIONS: ENTERING TOTS TO TEENS COMPETITIONS CONSTITUTES ACCEPTANCE OF THE FOLLOWING TERMS AND CONDITIONS. WIN entries close 15 JUNE 2023. TOTS TO TEENS TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR LATE OR MISDIRECTED ENTRIES. COMPETITIONS ARE OPEN TO NEW ZEALAND RESIDENTS ONLY. PRIZE WINNERS ARE DRAWN RANDOMLY. PRIZES ARE NOT TRANSFERABLE AND NOT REDEEMABLE FOR CASH AND NO EXCHANGES WILL BE MADE unless otherwise stated. NO CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO. OTHER CONDITIONS MAY APPLY. WINNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED BY EMAIL OR POST. BY ENTERING COMPETITIONS YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS WILL BE ADDED TO THE TOTS TO TEENS DATABASE. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO BE ADDED, PLEASE STATE SO IN YOUR ENTRY. ENTRY IS CONSENT TO USE NAME FOR PUBLICITY PURPOSES.

I’m going to level with you: I find talking about money to be supremely uncomfortable. And I know I’m not the only one who feels this way. For much of my adult life, I existed in a bubble of denial and ignorance, and figured that my finances would sort themselves out somehow, without my intervention beyond depositing my pay.

Now I know better. Becoming financially literate is an active process that starts with being honest about the state of your money – what’s coming in, what’s going out, where it’s going, what it’s being wasted on, what can change.

It’s not easy to look debt in the face and list all of your outgoings against your income (and come up short). But I’m doing it, and I’m making a plan.

That’s why I’m genuinely enthusiastic about the partnership between Tots to Teens and Simplicity (a NZ-owned KiwiSaver and funds provider) which starts in this issue. Together, we’re taking a deep dive into family finances, explaining some concepts that can help, speaking about savings, and generally giving you the tools you need to start your own journey to financial capability.

We know that many Kiwi families are doing it tough right now. This is our way of saying that we see you, we acknowledge what you’re going through, and we want to help. Because our families are stronger and more resilient when we’re honest, educated, and working together toward a more financially stable future.

I’m glad you’re with me on this journey.

TOTS TO TEENS IS PUBLISHED FIVE TIMES A YEAR WITH REGIONAL EDITIONS IN THE NORTH ISLAND AND SOUTH ISLAND. TOTAL CIRCULATION: 75,000 COPIES PER ISSUE. FIGURES QUOTED ARE FOR THE 12-MONTH PERIOD ENDING 31.08.22. MEMBER OF THE MPA.
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Meningococcal on the rise again

Do you have a teenager entering the uni halls this year? An older kid boarding at school? Or a child under the age of five? Meningococcal disease has been increasing, with 72 cases reported in 2022 (an over 50% increase on the year before) and a disproportionate burden on our Maori and Pasifika communities, particularly young children. Meningococcal disease is a life-threatening bacterial infection that causes two serious diseases – meningitis and septicaemia – and has serious outcomes in sufferers. It’s spread through respiratory droplets (coughing or sneezing) and saliva. The meningococcal B vaccine, Bexsero, will be funded for young people aged 13-25 who are living in close quarters such as boarding schools and halls of residence, and will also be funded as part of scheduled childhood immunisations to provide vaccination for all children under the age of five, who are at highest risk of contracting this serious disease.
Check with your GP or Well Child Provider to find out whether your children are eligible.

How are you feeling?

Children often struggle with big emotions that they have a hard time naming, let alone managing. Trace Moroney’s beautiful Big Feelings for Little People series of books helps children to learn coping skills, solve problems, learn strategies for handling difficult situations, and manage anxiety. These picture books contain well-researched information in a child-friendly way. Tackling topics like bullying, grief, stress, self-esteem, and building resilience, they’re a must-have for every emotionally intelligent household’s bookshelf. RRP$22.99 each, tracemoroney.com

Party people

Want to throw a birthday bash without the stress of planning, catering, entertaining, and cleanup? Archie Brothers Cirque Electriq is the place! Our editor Katherine held her teenager’s birthday celebration here in February and described it as “the best decision ever” – the kids enjoyed bowling, arcade games, and virtual reality experiences along with delicious food and drinks, all looked after by a dedicated (and very patient) party host. “I got in touch with the Archie Brothers team and they put together a custom party package for me that included just what we wanted, and came in well under budget. I was super impressed with their genuine enthusiasm for helping make this a party to remember – and it really was. The kids loved it and want to go back already!” archiebrothers.co.nz

THE ANXIETY COACH

Childhood anxiety is at record levels, exacerbated by the uncertainty of the last few years. The demand on the mental health sector is so great that one in three psychologists have closed their books to new patients. That’s a problem, says Michael Hawton, because “child anxiety tends to become worse the longer it’s left. The earlier a parent can intervene, the better the outcome.” The Anxiety Coach (Exisle RRP$34.99) is a handbook of simple, effective strategies parents and caregivers can use to help children manage their anxious feelings. The flip side of anxiety is resilience, and in this book, Hawton shows parents not only how to counter anxious behaviour, but also how to build their child’s mental strength.