People
Movers and shakers leading the way with insights, advice, ideas, and understanding.
Everyone has their go-to people in different parts of life. These are some of the people (and teams of people) I find interesting and engaging - you may know others who are a better fit for you and your family. Whoever your guiding lights are, it's good to know we're not walking this path alone and great to have trusted people to turn to for tips when we need them.
Nathan Wallis
Nathan's talks on brain development are firing up parents all over New Zealand (and overseas) and his ability to distill new developments in neuroscience down to useful and memorable bits of information is second to none. Stay connected to his Facebook page to get news, information, and the latest events where you can hear him speak in person.
Dr Laura Markham
I first came across Laura Markham's writing in Natural Parent magazine and was keen to find out more. Her Peaceful Parenting ideas are really well articulated and easy to try out for yourself. Her website (Aha! Parenting) has links to her books, articles, and videos so you can interact with her work in whatever way is most accessible to you.
Janet Lansbury
Although her work is mostly targeted at parents of younger kids, there are lots of gems to take away from Janet Lansbury and her Respectful Parenting ideas. Drawing heavily on the work and philosophies of Magda Gerber and Emmi Pikler, she has a website full of articles, a podcast, and books that give you different ways in to her tools.
The Parenting Place
The team at The Parenting Place in Auckland have loads to offer families in the form of resources, events, and workshops targeted at all kinds of different topics. They also offer their work outside Auckland (including the Waikato) - use the search function to see what's on offer at their home base and what might be coming closer to you.
Kimberley Crisp
Based in early childhood but full of insights for our older children (we all say they grow up too fast, right?). Kimberley's home base is a kindergarten called The Nest but she also travels the country working with people and passing on her learning from the Pikler Institute. Best regular updates come from her facebook page but you can also check out her website for more info about her.
Vanessa Lapointe
I first encountered Vanessa as a guest in a Maggie Dent podcast episode and quickly found myself really engaging with her material and relating to her approach. She has two books out and is a regular speaker and presenter around the United States. Perhaps one day we'll be lucky enough to have her visit our shores.
Alison Gopnik
Less a parenting guru and more a seeker of wisdom from the experience and expertise of our youngest family members, Alison Gopnik is a scientist and philosopher with loads of insights for us all about the inner workings of our little people and what that might mean for the rest of us. Her work is a great window in for your curious adventures finding out more about what makes your favourite little person tick.
Fred Rogers
Fred Rogers never really became a household name in New Zealand the way he did in the United States but his gifts are all still there for families all over the world. He's mostly known as a broadcaster but he also wrote books, and some of the interviews he gave are as illuminating as his children's tv show. Start with the link below but also check out the documentary on his life and work, the recent drama movie about one man's interaction with Fred and his work, and find his writing wherever you can.
Amanda Donnet
I heard Amanda on the Child Labour podcast recently (also highly recommended for equal parts learning and lolz) and she blew me away. You can find her online at her website (click through below) or interact with her via her Facebook page.