Message to Couples:
Are the holidays here again already? Yes, indeed time flies.
For many people, this time of year can be so joyful – spending time with loved ones and often those that live afar.
And yet for many couples, it’s also a time that can create additional distress and tension in a relationship. So many extra decisions to make and so many competing family loyalties. That makes for a not-so - enjoyable holiday season for all.
And if you are one of those partners feeling the stress, you are not alone.
To support you this year 'The Couples Institute' has compiled the best of our holiday stress articles and put them in an easy to read format. Click on the link below to download.
It’s called the Couples Guide to Holiday Stress Prevention: Learn How to Have Better Conversations, More Shared Chores, and Happier Family Time This Season.
I think it will help your holidays go better.
From setting realistic expectations to negotiating the many decisions and division of labour that’s needed, we’ve given you simple ways (and sample conversations) that you can use to improve the discussions you’ll be having soon.
You’ll also learn easy ways to deal with difficult and negative conversations with your spouse and family, reduce overwhelm, and build new positive ways you can improve your relationship with your partner this season.
I'm confident that if you put even a few of these tips to use, you’ll see an improvement.
The holidays are so much more enjoyable when everyone can get along!
Poll: Do you think NZ should ban social media for youth?
The Australian Prime Minister has expressed plans to ban social media use for children.
This would make it illegal for under 16-year-olds to have accounts on platforms including TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and X.
Social media platforms would be tasked with ensuring children have no access (under-age children and their parents wouldn’t be penalised for breaching the age limit)
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Do you think NZ should follow suit? Vote in our poll and share your thoughts below.
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85.6% Yes
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13.2% No
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1.1% Other - I'll share below
What's your favourite recipe for courgettes?
Kia ora neighbours. If you've got a family recipe for courgettes, we'd love to see it and maybe publish it in our magazine. Send your recipe to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz, and if we use it in the mag, you will receive a free copy of our January 2025 issue.
scumbags
There are some really awful people around at the moment. This is what happened on Sunday.
We live in Hinemoa Street opposite the Waiwhetu Stream. At around 3.40 in the afternoon I was looking out my window and saw a car pull up and start to feed the geese and ducks out the window. Then The passenger an asian man jumped out and threw himself onto a goose. he picked it up and put it the boot of the car.
I immediately ran over and stood in front of his car to stop him moving I also called my husband to help. A lovely man was riding his bike and saw it and stopped to help me. The driver tried to drive into me but I didnt move. He tried telling us it was his pet. These are wild geese.
They had a cage in the boot and some wire all ready to catch the poor bird like they have done it before. My husband took the bird from the car and released it. I then moved out of the way and after lots of abuse from the driver they drove off threatening to come back and get more.
No one should be allowed to take these beautiful birds and certainly not like this. they are all starting to have wee babies at the moment the whole thing was so upsetting to me. Another neighbour further down the road also saw it all happen.
Please keep a look out for this car and if you see them by the stream go over and watch them lets all stop this happening.