Policy Statement

I have decided to address this in two separate policies and while they are linked, they are separate as if you don't have a good family life and a baseline to start with you can become a misfit in the community.

We all work towards marriage and children, We convince ourselves that life will be better after we get married, have a baby, then another. Then we're frustrated that the kids aren't old enough and we'll be more content when they are.

After that, we're frustrated that we have teenagers to deal with. We will certainly be happy when they are out of that stage. We tell ourselves that our life will be complete when our spouse gets his or her act together, when we get a nicer car, a bigger house, are able to go on a nice vacation, when e retire.

Play The Gene Scene

The truth is, there's no better time to be happy than right now. If not now, when? Your life will always be filled with challenges. It's best to admit this to yourself and decide to be happy anyway.

One of my favourite quotes comes from Alfred D. Souza. He said, "For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin - real life. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles WERE my life."

This perspective has helped me to see that there is no way to happiness.

Happiness is the way. So, treasure every moment that you have. And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.,P> And remember that time waits for no one ... So stop waiting until you finish school, until you go back to school, until you lose ten pounds, until you gain ten pounds, until you have kids, until your kids leave the house, until you start work, until you retire, until you get a new job, until you get married, until you get divorced, until Friday night, until Sunday morning, until you get that promotion, until you get a new car or home, until your car or home is paid off, until spring, until summer, until autumn, until winter, until you are off welfare, until the first or fifteenth, until that project gets finished, until your song comes on, until you've had a drink,until you've sobered up, until you die, until you are born again, to decide that there is no better time than right now to be happy ...

Play Mapping Biodiversity

So enjoy your kids , you choose to have them , they don't have to have brand new clothes, take them to the Op shop to see how the other half live, let them help you make home made ice cream, teach then to stand on their own two feet( boarding school is a great helper for this). Make sure you write to them each week ( Or email).

Play Virtual House

They need to know how to make their own bed, wash clothes, iron andcook( boys & girls) and always to ask if they can give a hand. My two youngest boy & girl shared a bedroom not for lack of room but by choice till they were 17 & 14 , and would chat well into the night to catch up from being away at boarding school.

Turn the TV off and take the time to play games with them, my youngest could play Euchre at 6 and beat us all.

Read aloud to them from an early age.

Always think before you say NO to them and don't change your stance once you have said it.

Let them know you are always there for them. Even at 2.00 am when they are drunk and need a ride home, better missed sleep than losing them.

While they need to learn about computing they also need to know their tables, and how to add and subtract in their head.

They need to know respect to stand up in a bus for the elderly, not to swear in company, they need to know they are wanted and loved even when they give you a bottle of the worst perfume for Christmas.

Take them to church and give them a good grounding and then let them decide their own future.

Good Christian principles will come through in their life.

They need a job, No they do not need a new car at 17 , far better to get a cheaply and pay their own off.

These things I wish for all children, to experience tough times and disappointments, hard work happiness and your family.s love.

Happiness is a journey, not a destination.

Thought for the day: "Work like you don't need the money. Love like you'venever been hurt, and dance like nobody's watching."

Minister for Family and Community care SueMc

Sue McCreery