Sleeping

Sleeping issues can be really hard on children and their parents. There are routines, tips and strategies that can help. 

Eating

Eating can be really difficult for some children. Understanding that your child isn't being naughty and learning how to manage mealtimes is a really important first step.

Toileting

Learning to use the toilet can be really challenging for some children - and some may never get there. There are steps you can take to help your child learn this skill. One of the most important steps is reducing the pressure on them and you. 

Funding

Securing funding and support can be tricky, especially at the moment while the system is being changed. If you're finding it hard to navigate it all, you're not a lone! There are a range of supports available - often the hard part is finding the information you need.

Funding & Support

Respite

Looking after yourself is really important! Your journey as a parent might be challenging as you learn to manage all of the different people who will come into your lives to help you parent and process information about child's condition. Your well being matters!

Parent wellbeing

Assessment

Some parents find out their child's diagnosis before or at birth, for others it can take several years and a lot of heart ache. Getting through this time can be challenging as you manage conflicting information and expectations while also parenting. Awhi is here to support you.

Diagnosis

Carer Support

Fetal Alcohol Syndrome

ADHD

Down syndrome

Physical disability

Gross Developmental Delay

Neurodivergency

autism

Meltdowns

Most families begin their connection with the education system at an early childhood centre. Sometimes it can be complex managing assessments, funding, and relationships with teachers, support staff and carers and the transition to school. These resources should help.

Education

Managing different behaviours can be challenging, particularly when they impact on family life. There are lots of strategies to try and learning from other parents can be invaluable.

Behaviour

Suspension

Inclusion

Expulsion

Home schooling

Transition

Stood down

Teacher aide

Siblings

Having the support of your whānau and friends is really important as you manage the different demands of parenting. Hopefully these resources will help to strengthen your relationships so you're well supported.

Whānau and friends

Tantrums

Communication

Puberty

It's important that your child learns about their body and how to keep safe. Puberty can be a tricky time for parents as children goes through significant changes. Keep calm and don't panic - these resources will help.

Bodies & Sexuality

Bullying

Self-care

Connection

Some children need help to manage strong emotions and fears. Others may need professional help to manage their mental health. These resources should help you to decide what your next steps should be with your child.

Child wellbeing

Relationships

Covid 19

Navigating the health system can be very stressful for families, particularly if there are multiple appointments, hospitalisations and treatments. COVID remains difficult for families as other people no longer take precautions.

Health

vaccination

mental health

sexual abuse

Grief

anxiety

Sexuality

early intervention

Wearing a face mask

Wash your disposable masks, experts say - Kate Harvey

Wash your disposable masks, experts say

The best masks for the Omicron outbreak - Kate Harvey

The best masks for the Omicron outbreak

Liquid-immersion reprocessing effects on filtration efficiency of single-use commercial medical face masks - Richard J Everts

Medical masks have inferior filtration efficiency and fit to filtering facepiece respirators (FFRs) but are widely used in healthcare and the community. These masks are intended for disposal after use but in the event of mask shortage re-use after reprocessing may be an option. We investigated eight reprocessing methods that each involved washing or soaking in liquid, are likely to eliminate respiratory viruses, and are safe and available in most community and healthcare settings.Three brands of EN 14683 standards-compliant commercial medical mask were each reprocessed 10 times by one of eight methods. We measured filtration efficiency for poly-dispersed sodium chloride particles and pressure differential.Compared with new medical masks, reprocessed masks had significantly reduced filtration efficiency. The reduction was mild-moderate (6.5–25.8%) after warm water wash, hot water soak or boiling water soak; and moderate-large (24.1–51.5%) after detergent, soap or laundry machine wash, or bleach soak. There were mixed and minor changes in pressure differential. Most reprocessed standards-compliant masks had better filtration efficiency than new non-standard commercial masks and then cotton and cotton-polyester mix fabric samples, even triple-layered fabrics.High-quality commercial medical masks reprocessed 10 times by water immersion methods had better filtration efficiency than new non-standard masks and washable fabrics. These findings have particular relevance for community and low-resource healthcare settings.

Liquid-immersion reprocessing effects on filtration efficiency of single-use commercial medical face masks

# What to do if your taitamaiti or pēpē gets Covid 19
First – Don’t panic. This isn’t your fault. Omicron is highly contagious.

If your taitamaiti hasn’t been tested but they’re showing the following symptoms – stay home until they have been tested. Call the Covid 19 line 0800 358 5453 to get a test.

## Symptoms of Covid 19

- Fever
- Cough
- Trouble breathing
- Gastrointestinal problems - sore tummy, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhoea
- Headaches
- Muscle aches
- Loss of taste and smell
- Cold symptoms e.g sore throat and/or sneezing

Omicron is a weird virus – some tamariki will get very sick, some tamariki won’t have any symptoms at all. Some tamariki will have symptoms caused by inflammation throughout the body, sometimes several weeks after they contracted Covid 19. This is called multisystem inflammatory syndrome (MIS-C). If your taitamaiti develops MIS-C they will be treated at the Children’s Hospital or in the ICU (intensive care unit).

## Testing

If you think your taitamaiti has symptoms of COVID-19, call your GP or the Covid line on 0800 358 5453. They will give you the most up-to-date information on testing.

Tamariki should be tested if symptomatic and present with either typical or atypical symptoms. Contact your GP or your local testing centre to organise a PCR or RAT test. PCR tests will be used for people who need it most, and rapid antigen tests (RATs) will become more widely available. When you go for a test, the testing centre will let you know which test — RATs or PCR is best for you. Positive RAT results do not need to be confirmed with a PCR test unless advised.

## If your taitamaiti tests positive for Covid 19

You must isolate with them for 10 days. You will be sent a link to complete an online form, which will help identify locations you have visited and people you have come into close contact with.

After 10 days, and if you are free of COVID-19 symptoms, you will be free to leave isolation. You do not need a negative test. If any member of your household tests positive for Covid 19, the 10 days begins again.

### How to isolate with your Covid 19 positive taitamaiti

If possible, isolate with your taitamaiti and ONE parent or caregiver in another room from the rest of the whānau. Wash your hands often. Wash doorknobs and surfaces. Wear an n95 mask as often as possible. Keep windows open to help with air flow and ventilation._ _If you’re hapū, see if you can have another caregiver or parent look after your tamariki so you can limit contact.

If you have a high-risk adult or taitamaiti in your whare, consider having them isolated in another room, another area of the whare, or at another family member or friend’s whare. If this isn’t possible, they should always wear a mask and limit interactions as much as possible.

Keep other people and pets in the house away from your child as much as possible.

If you can, have your sick taitamaiti use a different bathroom from others. If that isn't possible, wipe down the bathroom often.

### High risk means –

- Unvaccinated
- Immunocompromised either from disease or medications
- 65 years old and older
- Hapū / pregnant
- Chronic lung disease including moderate to severe uncontrolled asthma, BPD from prematurity, Interstitial lung disease, Pulmonary hypertension, COPD
- Heart Conditions
- Chronic kidney or liver disease
- Dementia
- Diabetic
- Down Syndrome
- Smoker/Vaper

If a high-risk person in your whānau gets Covid 19 contact their specialist or hospital care team immediately.

If your whānau gets Covid 19 despite taking precautions – remember, it’s very contagious. It’s not your fault. Be kind and gentle with yourself.

### How to look after your Covid 19 positive child

You’ve got this. **Stay calm**. It’s likely your pēpē has been sick before, and you’ve been able to handle it. Covid 19 is no different.

- Keep them well-hydrated.
- Monitor nappies and wees to make sure they’re drinking enough.
- Don’t worry if they’re not hungry.
- Rest often. Use Panadol for fevers._ Some tamariki might struggle with oral paracetamol if they have a sore throat. Ask your pharmacist or doctor about rectal paracetamol._
- Use nasal suction or steam.

Make sure they rest as much as possible – screen time is fine!

Keep a close eye on their breathing – if they have any pauses in breathing, seem to be straining to breathe or have irregular or fast breathing, or if they’re too out of breath to talk or are out of breath after walking or if they turn blue or faint – **call 111 immediately.**

## When to get help

If your child has a disability or is high risk – contact your paediatrician or care team as soon as they’re diagnosed.

If your child does not have a disability, is vaccinated and is not high risk take them to hospital or after-hours if:

- your child looks really unwell – you’re their parent, trust your instincts.
- they are confused or very sleepy
- they have chest pain
- they are cold, sweaty, pale or have blotchy skin
- they are dizzy
- they have very bad belly pain

Look for contractions on their chest, like pulling in between the ribs or the nostrils puffing with their breathing. If they have breathing problems: _go to hospital._

If you’re not sure – call the dedicated COVID-19 Healthline, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for free on 0800 358 5453

**Again: Call 111 immediately – if your child has any pauses in breathing, seem to be straining to breathe or have irregular or fast breathing, or if they’re too out of breath to talk or are out of breath after walking or if they turn blue or faint.**

## Self-care

This is a scary time for you as a parent. Remember to fill your cup if you can. Talk to your friends by phone and ask for help with deliveries of groceries.

Be kind and gentle to yourself. Consider this karakia by Mero Irihapeti to protect your heart as you care for your tamariki and whānau.

**Hā ki roto | Breathe in**

**Hā ki waho | Breathe out**

**Kia tau te mauri e kokiri nei | Settle the mauri that stirs inside of me**

**I nga piki me ngā heke | Through the ups and the downs**

**Ko te rangimarie tāku e rapu nei | It is peace that I seek**

**Tihei mauri ora**




Blond child lies in bed. An adult checks their temperature with a hand to the forehead.

What to do if your child gets Covid 19

My child has covid. What to do if my child gets covid. Helping children with covid. Covid 19 in children.

The Awhi Ngā Mātua community of parents of immune compromised and medically fragile children has come up with scripts to help to have conversations about vaccination. We wanted to share these to help other families.

Our biggest tip from our community is to be clear and direct – don’t answer around the question. Just ask: “Have you had your vaccination?” or “Are you planning on getting vaccinated?”

We suggest a very simple line in the sand: “I’m sure you understand that keeping our household safe is crucial for our child, so we’re requesting that everyone who comes to our house is vaccinated.”

**If your family member is unvaccinated set a boundary.**

“Unfortunately, we need to ensure that everyone who comes into our home is vaccinated. I’m sure you understand that keeping our household safe is our highest priority. As soon as you’re vaccinated, we’d love to have you over. We will be so grateful for you protecting our child as well as your family and the community.”

**Offer options**

“Shall we organise a video call?”

“We look forward to seeing you when you’re vaccinated.”

“Let’s talk on the phone until we can be together when you’re vaccinated.”

“We hope by our [next family event] you’ll be vaccinated and we can be together.”

**Holding Firm**

“I understand that you’re disappointed you won’t see us for family time, we’re disappointed too. Let me know once you’ve booked your vaccination, I’ll come hold your hand!”

“I’m not going to debate this with you.”

“My highest priority is keeping our household safe.”

“I know masks aren’t the most comfortable or flattering things in the world, and I don’t like needles either! But I figure both of those things are worth doing to keep our children safe.”

“I’m disappointed that you’re not able to set aside your discomfort to ensure our child’s safety. Let me know if you change your mind.”

“I’m afraid that for our whānau, even outside picnics are too risky if you are not vaccinated.”


A young down syndrome man hugs a blonde woman as an older man looks on smiling.

How to talk to your family about vaccination

How to talk about vaccination? How do I ask someone to get vaccinated? How do I get my family to get vaccinations?

**Many of us are having to have conversations that take courage with our carers and relatives. The _Awhi Ngā Mātua _community has come up with some scripts to help you to talk to your carer about vaccination.**

### **If your child has a carer, remember these three key points:**

1\. You are allowed to ask an employee to provide evidence of their vaccination status, or
2\. Employees do not have to give you that information if they do not wish to.
3\. If they do not wish to share that information, you are entitled to assume they are not vaccinated when carrying out a risk assessment, but they must be aware of this assumption and its ramifications.

You must ensure that medical information about your carer is kept private and make sure they understand that there could be consequences for their employment if they do not disclose their vaccination status when requested.

**Be direct:** “Have you had your vaccination? Are you planning on getting vaccinated?”

**State the law:** “Do you know about the government order on healthcare workers? If I can’t be sure that you are vaccinated, we may not be able to continue having you as our carer. If you can’t confirm your vaccination status, I will have to assume you’re unvaccinated.”

In the [Covid-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Order](https://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2021/0094/latest/LMS487853.html), a legal duty to be vaccinated is created that will affect certain people. The duty is as follows: “An affected person must not carry out certain work unless they are vaccinated.”

What’s an “affected person”? Well, that’s anyone who works in a role that has been assessed as being so high risk that vaccination is required. Care and support workers are specifically mentioned as requiring vaccinations 2 and they have a deadline to get their first jab by 15 November 2021, and their second by 1 January 2022.

Your carer must follow the legal duty imposed on them and get vaccinated.

### **If your carer is unvaccinated set a boundary.**

“I am afraid that despite [conversations and time], I still am not confident that you are vaccinated or approaching this issue in good faith. Therefore, I must ask that you not to come back until you have been vaccinated and can provide me with proof of vaccination.”

We know that many families love their carer and this can be a heartbreaking and difficult conversation to have. You can provide options in the hopes that your carer will change their mind and get their vaccination.

“We’re happy to give you two hours of paid work, one hour per vaccination, to get vaccinated.”

“Please take this weekend to think about your options and talk about vaccination with people that you trust.”

“Do you need a ride? Outside of work time is fine. Is there anyone else in your whānau or household who needs a ride to get vaccinated?”

“Do you need to take some leave to consider this issue? I’m happy to provide a day’s paid special leave to give you time to consult with people you trust.”

### **If your carer decides not to be vaccinated, our community has some ideas on how to help them adjust to life without their career.**

- Share photos and details of the new carer in advance if possible. Have a phone or video call with the new carer.

- Explain that their carer is still special to the family but is unable to continue their work because of the choices they made. Explain that you can still care about someone but not agree with the choices they make.

- Write letters to your carer to say goodbye.

- Write welcome cards for a new carer.

- Be clear that their routine might change, but that they are safe and we will return to normal with a new carer.

- Help your child to understand that while a disappointing thing has happened, it’s OK to feel sad or angry. All feelings are valid.

_Be kind to yourself. Carers are often part of the family and these conversations are really tough. Reach out in the Awhi community for support._


Emily Writes

A photo of a child with cancer from the National Cancer Institute 

How to ask your carer if they’re vaccinated

How to ask my carer to get vaccinated. My carer isn't vaccinated. Vaccination and carers. Does my carer need a covid 19 vaccination. Vaccination Covid 19.

Covid 19 is here and the everyday calculation of risk just got a whole lot more complicated. Luckily, a video about managing that risk came to our attention. [The video is by Dr Sandhya Ramanathan](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O7anWQ_-gO4), a GP in Auckland, who has amazing work on her channel.

We definitely recommend you watch the video for the full rundown on managing Covid 19 risk, but as it’s an excerpt from a Zoom meeting, we figured we’d post a summary of the top tips for minimising risk.

## Tip 1: Get vaxxed!

This is always going to be top of the list. We love vaccinations! If every eligible person in your household is vaxxed, then you’re collectively creating a wee bubble of safety around those in your household who can’t yet get the Covid 19 vaccination.

The jab doesn’t _stop_ you from getting infected, but it makes it **far less likely**. If you’re vaccinated, you are eight times **less** **likely** to get infected and 25 times **less likely **to end up in hospital if you do get a breakthrough infection. Vaccination also greatly reduces your risk of experiencing 'Long Covid'.

**Breakthrough Infections:** This is the term for someone who is double jabbed when they contract Covid. There will always be a few of these infections but we can reduce the number of them by following Dr Ramanathan’s other excellent guidelines:

## Tip 2: Ventilation, ventilation, ventilation

When it comes to keeping safe, focus has shifted from minimising contact to **maximising air flow**. When we speak or breathe, we create tiny wee aerosol sprays that the virus loves to hang out in. If we keep fresh air flowing, we won’t end up in an invisible Covid Soup.

If you’ve got guests at home, keep doors and windows open. If it’s too cold or windy to keep them open, try to open your windows for 10 minutes every hour (thank goodness we’re coming into summer!)

If you’re able, you can invest in an air purifier with a HEPA filter. [Consumer have an excellent guide.](https://www.consumer.org.nz/services/air-purifiers/guide)

## Tip 3: Go outside!

This tip is two for the price of one. First of all, outside is where air keeps moving, especially if you live in Wellington! We know it’s impossible to avoid indoor premises entirely, but it _is_ possible to minimise the amount of time spent in them. When walking to work, don’t take the shortcut through the mall. Bring your lunch to avoid cafes and supermarkets. Stay outside the shelters when waiting for public transport. Don’t attend events that occur indoors. If you’re going out to eat, go to a place that has tables outside or get your food to take away so you can eat in a park, on a beach, or anywhere else that takes your fancy!

Secondly, if you’re outside and getting sunshine, your body can produces vitamin D. Covid patients with lower levels of vitamin D have worse outcomes, so make sure you get some sun (while staying sunsafe!) to boost your immune system.

## Tip 4: Stay Active and healthy!

This will be old hat to those of us who are immune compromised or have immune compromised family members, so sorry for the repetition. For the rest of us, remember that you can strengthen your immune system by eating a varied diet (fresh fruit and veg!), getting a walk in as often as possible, and getting regular sleep. Easier said than done when you’re administering medications to your child throughout the night - but we do need to remember to do as much as we can to protect ourselves as well as our tamariki.

## Tip 5: Mask up against Covid 19!

When you must go indoors, wear a mask. Some masks are better than others, but any mask is better than no mask! Create a habit of “Inside = Mask On”, regardless of legal requirements.

This does two things:
- you’re keeping yourself and others safe
-  you’re contributing to a culture where wearing a mask is normal.

We’ve had some big changes since Covid appeared on the scene, and the need for masks is definitely one of them. They’re here to stay so let’s use them!

[Here’s a list of places where masks are **required.**](https://covid19.govt.nz/health-and-wellbeing/protect-yourself-and-others-from-covid-19/wear-a-face-covering/)

We definitely recommend checking out [Dr Sandhya Ramanathan’s channel ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHHEJiOdb2YxNbOn17kKvVQ/featured)for more sensible advice.



A child wears a mask. An adult helps them secure the mask.

Five tips to help you avoid catching Covid 19

How not to catch Covid 19? How to stop Covid 19? How do I stop myself catching Covid 19? How do I protect my children from Covid 19?

**Parents of disabled and immune compromised children horrified by vaccine mandates and passes being dropped.**

Terrified, anxious, heartbroken, lonely, scared, gutted, thrown under the bus – these are just some of the reactions parents of disabled, immune compromised and medically fragile children have had to the Government’s decision to remove vaccine mandates from education and remove the need for vaccine passes.

[Awhi Ngā_ _Mātua](https://awhingamatua.org.nz/), an online community for parents of tamariki with disabilities, has been a place where parents have come together to share their surprise and devastation at the changes announced by the Government today.

Awhi Ngā_ _Mātua founder Elizabeth Goodwin and director Emily Writes say they’re hopeful the government will listen to parents of immune compromised children who were caught off guard by the announcement.

Director Emily Writes says she hopes the Government will see the mamae of the community and take into consideration the pain the announcement has caused an already vulnerable and isolated community.

Awhi Ngā_ _Mātua founder Elizabeth Goodwin says the community has shared their shock at the announcement throughout the day.

> “Parents of disabled and immune compromised children often feel very isolated already. They’ve been hit hard. They’ve been isolating for a long time, many since the beginning of the pandemic – and they’re feeling left out in the cold by today’s announcement.”

> “This announcement further forces vulnerable families back into their homes. Children who could previously be at school because their parents knew their teachers were vaccinated are now having to reassess that choice.”

> “Our parents are telling us that vaccinated teachers and carers are people they trust to care for their fragile tamariki. To remove those protections at the height of the pandemic feels like a cruel blow to parents.”

With ableism rising, Awhi Ngā_ _Mātua, would like to see the government take a stand against ableism and prioritise the safety of the immune compromised and disabled.

> “We are calling on the Government to hear the voices of the community on these issues and show they’ve listened.”

**We asked the Awhi Ngā_ _Mātua community of parents of disabled, immune compromised and medically fragile children how they felt after today’s announcement:**

\- “Sad. Amazed. Vulnerable. Hurt. Alone”.

\- “Scared. I want my children surrounded by teachers who value their health and wellbeing”.

\- “Terrified and anxious”.

\- “I feel like nobody cares about us”

\- “Heartbroken. Scared for [my child] to start school if she’ll have an unvaccinated kiako.”

\- “Thrown under the bus”

\- “Gutted. I feel like all responsibility is now placed on vulnerable people and their families.”

\- “I’m really gutted”.

\- “Thrown under the bus…again”.

\- “Not good. We will be even more isolated now.”

\- “Lonely”

\- “Frightened and the thought of an unvaccinated teacher in my children’s classroom”

\- “Sad and drained. Resigned to the fact I will never eat in a café or restaurant ever again.”

\- “Concerned. It feels like people are accepting the death toll and not worried about us anymore”.

\- “Abandoned. Gaslit. Thrown under the bus of “aroha” in name only.”

\- “Devastated. Absolutely devastated. Health and education [mandates] should have stayed.”

\- “So nervous. Now is not the time to relax our approach. I am so worried.”

\- “Wish education had stayed mandated”.


Person at the kitchen table looking upset.

“I’m terrified” - parents of disabled children share their reaction to the Government’s announcement

Covid 19 safety New Zealand, covid 19 vaccination disability, covid 19 immune compromised, covid 19 disability New Zealand

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