Overview
Maya Shaw lives during the week with her mother, and spends the weekends with her father. Some of her best times are playing outdoors.
Maya is the youngest daughter of Carol MacDonald and Christopher Shaw, and younger sister of Emily. Carol and Christopher separated in 2010, and now the children live with Carol during the week and stay with Christopher every weekend.
Carol hoped to be a full-time mum until Maya went to school but since the separation she has to work part-time as a registered nurse. An au pair now lives with the family to help care for the children while Carol works.
Going Solo
The separation has had a huge impact on the lives of the entire family. For Carol, who grew up in Auckland, many of the principles and ideals of her childhood continue to be very important. But her separation from her husband, has meant that she will have to let go of some of these. She had wanted for the girls to have a private secondary school education and help pay for university but now this might not be possible.
Her revised wish list is to keep the children happy, healthy and loved, with lots of outdoor experiences, trips to the beach, playground and zoo. Maya has in general adjusted to the separation very well. But she still wakes often in the night and Carol is worried that this may be because of the separation.
Favourite things
Maya, now three years old, is a bright and confident girl. She enjoys lots of outdoor activities and does well at them. Her great loves are riding her scooter, playing at the park, climbing, playing on the swings and swimming.
She has a great range of toys at home. Some of her favourites are stacking and building toys - she loves playing with them with her mother. She also loves stories and books, Duplo, dolls, My Little Pony, Thomas the Tank Engine and her Strawberry Shortcake doll.
She doesn’t watch much television but watches a few DVDs, particularly Dora the Explorer. Other favourites are special bed-time friends,a blanket that she sleeps with, a pink dress that she always wants to wear, and her cat, Holly. .
Maya has been to a variety of groups and activities in her local area including a playgroup where she does painting, music, and movement. She goes to a Montessori pre-school two mornings a week.
Good for health
She wears glasses for her longsightedness, and has always worn an amber bead necklace that, Carol says, is helpful for teething and for treating her eczema.