“It takes a Hui to raise a child”… so the saying goes amongst many families who have been part of Family Hui. We are faced today with the challenge of raising caring, compassionate children in a peaceful environment. Family Hui Hawaii provides the opportunity for parents to come together in a casual setting to support each other. These groups are peer-led by a volunteer parent from their community and structured around a weekly parenting topic. In this non-judgemental setting, families freely share their triumphs and struggles, learn about gentle ways to parent, children are socialized and lifelong friendships are born between parents and children.
The impact of Hui can be felt long after the 10 week program is completed. Many groups bond and continue to meet on a regular basis, often through childhood and into high school and beyond college. A former Hui member tells her story like this, “My husband and I don’t have any family here. When my second child was born, she was in the NICU for weeks. We were there day in and day out. My Hui rallied around me to care for my older child. I don’t know what I would have done without them”. New moms can suffer from postpartum depression or feel isolated. Hui is there for these moms to give them the help and support they need and also to refer them to the proper resources.
At Family Hui Hawaii, we believe how a child is parented directly shapes their future. Sometimes, parents might feel overwhelmed with the challenges of parenting, or maybe they take parenting in stride and simply want to make new friends. By joining a Hui, parents feel connected, empowered and supported.
Family Hui has its origins from the former and very popular Baby Hui which has served Hawai’i’s families since 1982. Family Hui expanded the framework to include families with children up to 5 years old to help transition them into Kindergarten, and is growing at a faster rate then ever before!
To find a Hui in your area or to become a group leader contact www.familyhuihawaii.org or call 230-7112.
Image Credit: Family Hui Hawaii
