Waiting Room Project: Wellbeing While You Wait

The dreaded waiting room. You know the drill? Sitting with an energetic child, trying to keep them happily occupied while you settle in for an indefinite wait. And when I say 'trying' to keep them occupied, it's not always succeeding! 

For some time I’ve been thinking what an opportunity that time actually is. As a parent, I know how busy life is. So I’m always mindful of the moments that are already there. The car ride. The walk to school. The meal times. The few minutes before bed. And, yes, the waiting room.

That’s where the idea for the ‘Waiting Room Project’ was born. (Yes, you’ll need to help me find a better name!). And the more I thought about it, the more excited I became. What if we could grow well-being in the waiting rooms? 

So we are! We are putting Fairytale Fraud books into waiting rooms across New Zealand. From doctors’ surgeries to hospitals to blood test clinics, the books are already popping up — ready to spark conversations when parents and children need them most. And they are being received with huge enthusiasm. 

And me being me — I got so inspired, I created a whole resource pack to go alongside the books — posters, printables, mental health messages, extra conversation starters and even take home activities. Every waiting room has a host of resources they can print and use to meet families where they are at. 

But the best news — a generous donor is subsidising the project. This means it’s possible for you, yes you, to place a 6-pack of books into a waiting room for just $NZ27. Your pack will be enjoyed day-after-day, reaching countless families with wellbeing messages and helping ward off those waiting room fidgets. 

There’s fantastic endorphins from giving so join in—this opportunity will multiply meaningful moments for countless families across New Zealand and you can be part of it!

Cheering you on,

Katie xx

💛 Small ReflectionThink about the waiting times in your week — the car, the bus stop, before bed. Could any of these moments become mini opportunities for connection?

⭐ Try This Challenge

Next time you find yourself waiting with your child, ditch devices and ask them a fun, open-ended question. (e.g., “If you could invent an animal, what would it be like?”). Keep adding to the original idea and see where the conversation goes.