Take a look at what are participants have to say about our workshops

MUM VICTORIA WITH DAUGHTER BETHANY

“I first came to the Mother-Daughter Workshop when my eldest daughter was 9. We really enjoyed it and she loved going through the booklet together afterwards.  The workshop reinforced the importance of being aware of the impact media has on self-esteem and my daughter just really loved having one on one time with me (something that can be challenging as a working mum of three!).  She is now 13 and I’m so proud of her strong opinions on self-esteem, especially as she has started high school and is more exposed to a variety of different opinions and attitudes.  I brought my second daughter Bethany to the workshop when she was 11.  Initially I was a little apprehensive – I thought she might think it was all “dumb” or be too embarrassed (or too “cool”!) to take part in the activities.  However, Penny created a lovely supportive atmosphere where the girls felt okay to be themselves.  The workshop is just one night – but it certainly made a difference for me and my second daughter.  She had stopped kissing us good night for example, but now she’s started doing that again, which is so lovely!

If you’re considering the workshop, I would say that it’s a lovely opportunity to catch your daughter before she hits the challenging years and her peers’ opinions become more important than her mum’s! If your daughter is at that tipping point, then the workshop might also make the difference for you – it’s just a reminder for your daughter that you value her.  I don’t know how that can get lost but sometimes in the maelstrom of adolescence it can!  Having that strong mother-daughter relationship when you get to that point has made things easier for me with my eldest; and now I’m feeling more confident about my second daughter.”

SCHOOL AND COMMUNITY WORKSHOP Feedback

Glen Innes School

Mothers

• Get to know more about my daughter: I enjoyed all exercises

• I discovered my daughter and I have our emotions in the same place; I enjoyed drawing the silhouette

• Meeting the other mums and daughters was great. I think as this programme moves into more schools it will benefit many mums and daughters.

• People helping to teach mindfulness

• Everything was lovely, and I know I will walk out of here setting goals; The best part of the workshop was working with my daughter; Thank you SO much this has made my day

• The workshop was fun; and the best part was to play

• Sharing happy memories; I have enjoyed my time spending 3 hours with my daughter, getting the time to know her

• Enjoyed drawing our bodies and putting our emotions on our bodies

• The best part was the ending with the candle, very creative and being with my daughter; awesome workshop

• Drawing picture, sharing memory; made me remember a happy time.

• Hearing my child speak and express herself. Really enjoyed it; it was very warm and inviting

Daughters

• Key message was make yourself beautiful by yourself; Best part was sitting with my mum

• Wouldn’t change anything, I loved it; The exercise I enjoyed most was drawing the shape of each other

• Because I saw our differences and similarities

• Key message I understood from the workshop was that to always open up

• Best part of the whole workshop was bonding with my mum. It was amazing. Thank you.

• The exercised I enjoyed the most was the flames, it was pure beauty and I learnt about low self esteem

• The exercise I enjoyed most was the beauty part because beauty is in everyone

• It was amazing; I enjoyed drawing memory’s because it was a good memory; beauty is natural

• Relaxing with my mum

• I enjoyed everything; it was amazing, because we had a great time, had fun working with my mum

• Talking with the candles

Anglican Trust for Women and ChildreN

Mothers

• Spending quality time with daughter. Quality time spent and looking into myself.

• Tracing my daughter because I was making her laugh

• Emotions; teaching the girls how to understand their emotions; Seeing my daughter enjoy it;

• Finding similar thinking with my daughter

• Drawing bodies and emotions; seeing my daughter speak up

• How we should always show our daughters about their self-worth etc. and how to boost that.

• Spending quality time with my daughter; Amazing workshop; worth attending

ORAKEI COMMUNITY CENTRE

Daughters

• My mum stopped working and played with me. It was exciting. Was fun. The importance of the mother and daughter workshop

• Because it made me laugh and I felt really involved. Conversation and communication; the end when we reflected with the candles. Everything was great the organising a mother and daughter date; because we came up with fun crazy things; the bond between mothers and daughters are special

• It was fun drawing around each other; You are unique, and no one can take that away

• I felt happy and relaxed; Brigit and I giggle a lot; Seeing the girls open up and share their emotions feelings and seeing the mothers support.

• It was calming, soothing and very peaceful. How it made me think my mum is really important. It was a wonderful experience for me