It takes a village
to raise our kids
"This is what I hear all day: mummy, mummy,
mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy. Then my husband comes
home and says, "Hi, mummy." So, I once had a name; it was Julie and
my child’s name is Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan. I would love to
vent and see if anyone out there, feels the same way…?"
- Julie, mum of Dan, aged 3
21 July 2008: Emma Walsh, a HR and careers
practitioner who founded her HR consulting firm, Changing Places HR
Services in 2004, believes that mums need a strong social network to
help them in their journey through parenting: "Mums need the support
and encouragement of other mums; it is important to have regular contact
with other women going through the same experiences to create a sense
of community for both mum and bub!"
Walsh is one of the experts hosting It Takes a Village
events in the new Westfield We Are Family Campaign. She contends
that more and more women are turning to their community for a sense
of belonging: "Mums are reaching out to other mums; thinking outside
the box to create positive solutions. For instance, some mums are creating
childcare arrangements to temper the cost. Other mums use their social
network to fill the void created by a lack of family support. In general,
the mums I meet really value the friendship of and camaraderie with
other mums experiencing the same challenges."
Walsh also believes that the best part of belonging
to a social network is having the opportunity to create long term relationships
with other families; growing together through the years in a supportive
and nurturing environment.
Between June 16 and August 10, We Are Family
will host approximately 160 free, interactive events on a diverse range
of topics (including It Takes a Village) at 32 Westfield centres across
the nation for mums to learn, share and meet other mums in the community.
To help mums navigate their busy lives, over 1.3 million
free Westfield We Are Family local guides will be available with helpful
hints from other Mums, expert advice and quick access to community information.
For more details, enquire at your local Westfield centre or check out
the new We Are Family website at westfield.com.au/wearefamily
on June 16 to be part of the family!!
Release Date: 21st July 2008
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