PARENTS’ CENTRE

Press, Volume XCIII, Issue 27928, 27 March 1956, Page 2

PARENTS’ CENTRE

FORMATION IN CHRISTCHURCH

With its primary object the fostering of appreciation of the significance of the emotional aspects of pregnancy, childbirth and infant nurture, the Christchurch Parents’ Centre was formed last evening. Other main objects of the centre include “to make available to expectant mothers, classes which will help them to be intellectually, physically and emotionally prepared for childbirth, so that they may be able to look forward with greater confidence to an easier and more satisfying labour: and also help to equip them for their role as mothers, especially in the important first years of their children’s life.”

The centre plans to promote better family and communal mental and physical health by encouraging those practices which have beneficial effects upon early parent-child relationships. “Such as education for childbirth, rooming-in, breast feeding, home confinements and permissive methods of child care.”

To assist in achieving its objects, the centre plans to establish an information centre to make available literature and information.

Before agreeing to form the centre the meeting of about 40 persons heard from Mrs Helen Brew, president of the Wellington Parents’ Centre, of the achievements of her organisation, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

Mother-child relationship and child nurture were the key to maturity in adult life. Mrs Brew said, and it was the centre’s aim to prevent those things which disturbed the relationship. The centre’s work was not spectacular. it worked quietly and by educating parents, doctors and nurses, but in the long run the work would make for a mature, happier and adult population.

Mrs N. Sutherland found few supporters for her suggestion that training for parenthood should begin in secondary schools. There should be ante-natal work in the schools —“call it deportment training or mannequin parade, whatever you like,” she said. Mrs Brew agreed with one man that there had been an all-round improvement in the attitude of the Plunket Society, doctors, nurses, hospitals and others to the mother-child relationship and early nurture, but said there was still much to be achieved.

The meeting elected the following officers of the centre: —president. Mrs L. Holmes: vice-presidfent. Mr H. A. Adams; secretary. Mrs C. Weststrate: treasurer, Mr J. B. Hindin: committee, Mesdames H. A. Adams. C. A. Noble. A. Rosenberg. R. Stockwell. N. D. Walker. Mr W. P. Ussher. Drs. T. H. Scott and J. Seabrook.

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