Week 1, Term 1 2026 Newsletter
Welcome
Mums and Bubs come together to form community
February 17th 2026
Welcome to a new year, a new term, and a new group—we are truly delighted to have you with us. When I say "we," I mean myself and Rena. Rena is the incredible person working behind the scenes who has coordinated everything to keep us moving forward.
It was wonderful to see all of you today; thank you for coming and being so open. This is YOUR group—a place where you can feel safe, acknowledged, and supported. A space to laugh, learn, make new friends, and share your emotions.
As a first-time parent, you often know you need to learn things but might not know exactly what, and right now, you’re probably feeling overwhelmed by the many opinions and information out there. I don’t see my role as adding to that overload; instead, I hope to walk alongside you as a group and provide developmental guidance to help you make the decisions that are best for your family. Please let me know if there is anything that doesn't feel right or things that you would like me to discuss.
THIS WEEK: Connections
The session began by introducing the word "connection," emphasizing its importance as the foundation of parenting, especially in the early years.
Parenting young children is challenging, so finding joy in everyday moments helps build connection.
One practical way to connect daily is during nappy changes: place your child face to face, talk gently to them, narrate the process, acknowledge their feelings, and offer comfort. This mindful interaction fosters safety and closeness, turning routine care into bonding time that can easily happen multiple times a day.
What is Montessori?
Montessori is an educational approach developed by Dr. Maria Montessori in the early 20th century. It emphasizes child-led learning, hands-on activities, and fostering independence in a prepared environment. The method encourages exploration, creativity, and respect for a child’s natural development pace. Montessori classrooms typically feature mixed-age groups and specially designed materials to support sensory and cognitive growth.
In the child 0 - 12months think;
Natural materials: wood, fabric, silicone.
Less is more: a low shelf with no more than four objects.
Observe the child and discover who they are.
Freedom to move: from around 2-3 months give your baby time to move freely taking into consideration their clothes and nappy.
Communication: practice talking to your baby so that it becomes more natural for you.
Recipe: Cashew and Coconut
This is a super easy recipe I found on Instagram and the perfect on the go snack, all you need is a food processor, blender or good friend!
1 cup of raw cashews
½ cup of shredded or desiccated coconut
2 tbsp of maple syrup
Blitz the whole lot together until it is really fine and sticks to itself. It makes about x30 teaspoon size balls or you can go bigger or even make bars.
RESOURCES:
The Montessori Baby is the book I mentioned in the session today and is like a handbook to the first 12 months from a Montessori perspective. You should be able to find copies in K Mart;
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54110546-the-montessori-baby
This website provides all sorts of helpful information about using a baby carrier and also has links to local guides. If you go to the Resource tab they have a Consultants Directory and there is a lady on the Central Coast or Marisa Seeto in Balmain is always happy to offer an online consultation;
https://babywearingaustralia.com.au/
If you have not attended a First Aid course specifically for babies I would strongly suggest you and a family member attend one as they will give you so much more confidence, especially when you start weaning. Illy is a wonderful Trainer;
Having little ones often makes eating nutritionally really hard. To ensure you care for you and your partner physically and mentally it might be worth your while considering a meal service somedays/weeks/fourth trimester. Initially they can seem expensive but they save on waste, ensure you eat well and maintain your mental health!
