“Babies’ Day” Held At Parents’ Centre

Press, Volume XCVII, Issue 28747, 19 November 1958, Page 2

“Babies’ Day” Held At Parents’ Centre

“It has been very hectic here this afternoon,” said Mrs Helen Holmes, president of the Christchurch Parents’ Centre, at the annual graduates’ party held in the Young Women’s Christian Association clubrooms yesterday. The party took the form of a reunion for women who had completed a course for expectant mothers during the year. About 62 mothers had attended and brought their babies and any other children in the family with them.

“It was difficult to hear yourself speak,’’ said Mrs Holmes at the end of the afternoon. “I was no competition for 100 babies all vieing for the most attention.’’ The children’s ages ranged from five weeks to about two years. The youngest were held proudly in their mothers’ arms while the older children amused themselves with the piano which was almost out of reach. 12-week Courses

A record number of nine courses had been conducted this year, Mrs Holmes said. Each course lasted 12 weeks when mothers learned how to be more confident in handling their children and how to prepare themselves for happier childbirth.

The centre’s officers believe that through knowledge, fears or apprehension can be dispelled. The classes meet at the Y.W.C.A. clubrooms once a week and lectures are given by professional tutors.

“Although we are a lay organisation we employ qualified practitioners to teach our mothers.’’ said Mrs Holmes. The Adult Education Department gave financial support to the classes. Mrs Holmes said she felt that more women could take advantage of the courses. It was usually on the advice of their doctor or through a friend telling a friend about the courses that new members were enrolled. During the course mothers get to know each other well besides gaining confidence by discussing

anything which worries them with a professional consultant. After graduation mothers are Invited to join the general membership and attend a programme of discussions and lectures with their husbands. So that individual attention is possible classes are kept down to a dozen members. For mothers who already have children, the centre provides a creche. Lecturers and teachers who had conducted classes were specially invited to yesterday’s function; one or two fathers had come but it was definitely “babies’ day.” Guests were entertained by Mrs Holmes and the class secretary (Mrs Joan Livingstone) together with members of the committee.