Hokowhitu School Chaplain

He'll be okay...Growing gorgeous boys into good Men

2010-02-09T14:25:00.000-08:00

‘Do you think you’ll ever have a life plan?’ – ‘No.’‘So how will your life sort itself out?’ – ‘Oh, that’s easy. I’ll be about 25 and some gorgeous-looking chick will walk past. She’ll have a great plan, so I’ll just hook onto her.’
How do you raise boys to men in a world where trouble beckons at every turn? How do you make sure they learn the 'right' lessons, stay out of danger, find a path to follow? How do you ensure they'll be OK?
Author Celia Lashlie has some of the answers. After years working in the prison service, she knows what can happen when boys make the wrong choices. She also knows what it's like to be a parent – she raised a son on her own and feared for his survival. As a crucial part of the NZ Good Man Project, she talked to 180 classes of boys throughout the country. Her insights into what boys need – and what parents can do to help them – are ground–breaking.
Adolescent boys – they seem to disappear into another world where they barely communicate, and where fast cars, alcohol and drugs are constant temptations. Will they survive and become good men? How can parents and schools understand them and help them through this difficult and dangerous time?
In this funny, honest, no-nonsense book, researcher and social commentator Celia Lashlie reveals what goes on inside the world of boys, and that it is an entirely different world from that of girls. With clarity and insight she offers parents – especially mothers – practical and reassuring advice on raising their boys to become good, loving articulate men.

I thoroughly recommend this book especially to those mum's out there. I have a copy that any parent of a present Hokowhitu School pupil can borrow.

DIY playhouse

2010-01-18T13:48:00.000-08:00

I always wanted to build a playhouse for the kids. I remember the fun I had as a kid playing in a 'castle' that I had built with anything dad would spare. Looking at the cost to buy one soon became clear it was out of my price range but maybe I could build one. Below are some sites that offer free plans for kids playhouses.

www.mitre10.com.au/DIY-Central/Mitre-Plans/_category/Build-It/_name/Build-a-cubby-house/

www.diynetwork.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-deluxe-playhouse/index.html

www.blackanddecker.com/projectcenter/ProjectDetail.aspx?DOC_ID=p_2_99_23589_23782.html

Or you could simply make an indoor playhouse out of cardboard box's and packing tape. The kids will still love it and it is very cheap. There are plenty of shops that will freely give you their cardboard box's.

More DIY. The other day I found some strong rope and a bit of plastic pipe and made a rope swing from one of the trees in our backyard. I made sure it was easy for the children to get on and off themselves and how surprised was I when they absolutely loved it and can't get enough of it, and it didn't cost a thing.

Internet Safety for Children and their parents

2010-01-18T12:00:00.000-08:00

A multi award winning comprehensive software that deals with all the issues to make your PC 'appropriate content' safe for your children and you.

www.internetsafety.com/safe-eyes-parental-control-software

Parents, you are not alone!

2010-01-18T11:56:00.000-08:00

Everybody needs a little help at some time in their lives. This is especially true for parents and caregivers raising young families. Whether it is learning about managing a child’s behaviour and providing boundaries, feeding your family well on your weekly budget, managing challenging family situations, connecting with others in your community or just needing someone to talk too. Fresh Perspective is there to help.

www.freshperspective.org.nz

Trying to survive Bullying

2010-01-17T19:45:00.000-08:00

http://www.nobully.org.nz/

A site published by the police and so full of great advice and thoughtful ideas.

Hi there

2010-01-17T19:31:00.000-08:00

Hi there, it's great you could visit my blog.

As I sit here writing this and listen to a little Opshop a phrase keeps running through my head. 'Know someone before you judge them'. What a powerful yet simple suggestion...

Moving on, Hi, my name is Carl and I am the Hokowhitu School Chaplain. I am married and a father of three cherished children. I've been a dairy farmer in Taranaki, spent some time as an Army Territorial Engineer, and eventually settled here in Palmy focusing on my passion - working with young people - to simply help them help themselves and help them to make good life choices.

The idea behind this blog is to not so much share what I have to say but a place where parents will hopefully come and find resources, encouragement and maybe even a place to share the highs and lows of parenting.

I am the youth pastor at Hokowhitu Baptist Church.