Now, Meander Drive used to have a bit of a bad reputation and it is still not a well-to-do area, but since Selwyn Ridge Primary School opened its doors it has become a sought-after location for young families.
The school is great and the reason I moved into the zone six years ago. We used to call it Nappyville.
Lots of children are always playing on the street and the road is narrow and windy. The people who live there are used to it, but I've had to hit the brakes hard a few times when driving there, to avoid hitting a child or a puppy.
It's a scary thought, but even careful drivers and careful children can have accidents.
It is heartwarming to know that there is also a strong sense of community in the area.
On Facebook, neighbours posted updates, answered questions, and asked for people who could bake or do meals to come forward so they could practically support the boy's family. That is a very good sign, and we are all hoping and praying that he will pull through. It looks like everything will be okay and that is such a relief. It could have been so much worse.
My children sometimes ask me scary questions. Things such as: "What would you do if I would die tomorrow?"
I hate those questions and find them difficult to answer but I usually say that I would probably never smile again.
I simply cannot imagine the pain that comes with losing a child.
As a mother, I think it is important to teach children that it is possible that someone they care about could die because, unfortunately, it is a fact of life.
But how do you explain death in child terms?
I had a look around online as there are so many websites that give valuable information on parenting and all the issues we face as mums and dads.
I found skylight.org.nz, the website of a charitable trust that offers a wide range of services to support those facing tough times of change, loss, trauma and grief - whatever the cause, and whatever their age.
The site has free e-books for children that deal with serious topics as well as a blog named The Colours of Grief.
Fortunately, I don't need these resources right now as it looks like their little school mate is going to be okay, but it is good to know that these things are available free online.
My favourite New Zealand parenting website, www.kiwifamilies.co.nz, also has a section with stories about how children deal with loss, whether it is sudden or unexpected. It doesn't even have to be about losing a friend or family member.
For children, as well as for many adults, losing a treasured pet can be devastating, too.
It is good to have all this information at hand.
Of course death and grief aren't things we bring up every day, but I do think it is important to talk about it with our children.
My own parents didn't mention it when we were young, at least not that I can remember, and when my favourite uncle died when I was 14, I completely fell apart.
Somehow, I think it is better if youngsters are a bit better prepared than I was then.
My two boys want to live forever, and they want me to live forever too. But I have sat them down recently and explained to them that because life ends one day, they should not waste time, and take advantage of all the opportunities they get.
I said they should not be afraid of adventures or back away from challenges as sometimes, you only get one chance.
I hope teaching them to live life to the fullest and taking that bull by the horns is positive parenting.
But no matter how much information is readily available to us nowadays on the internet, you just never know for sure if you're doing it right.
Martine Rolls is a Tauranga writer and digital strategist - www.sweetorange.co.nz
