THIS COULD BE THE MOST IMPORTANT PREPARATION CLASS YOU TAKE! Many parents spend a lot
of time preparing for the birth of their child - they read multiple
books, ask questions of their providers about the birth process in
prenatal visits, read birth stories on the Internet, and attend
hours of childbirth preparation classes. They feel very prepared
for getting their baby out... but then what?
Few parents spend much time preparing for or thinking constructively
about what life will be like after their baby arrives. They often
plan for how much maternity/paternity leave they will take, and if
family members or friends will come to visit. And then they end up
feeling totally unprepared and bowled over by their postpartum
experience, telling me they 'didn't know it would be like this'.
Since the early postpartum period is an important formative time in
the relationship you develop with your child and with each other,
this time deserves the most thought and planning!
This 3-hour class gives
expectant parents a chance to really plan for their postpartum
period. I have a unique way of illustrating what to expect in the
first hours, days, weeks and months after your baby is born; giving
you real, useful tools to plan for success in advance; and
offering guidelines for keeping your postpartum time safe, healing
and nurturing to your baby, yourselves, your body and your spirit.
Also discussed are typical things that surprise most new parents:
How can your rock-solid relationship be shaken by this blessed
event? How can a teeny baby require so much of two (or more)
competent adults? Will you ever be able to shower and dress before
noon again?
We'll take a fun approach to
planning for this exciting and unimaginable time by creating visual
plans, scrutinizing our domestic priorities, and creating S.O.S.
lists. Receive helpful tips about handling family and visitors, and
handy things to have around the home.
In
preparation for parenting, we will talk about the stress of a new
baby on relationships – on the pregnant couple, the extended family,
friendships, and in society - and
delve into our own experiences as
children,. You
will learn how to tap into and stay in touch with your parenting
intuition (the best parenting guide you have), learn the warning
signs for postpartum depression, and develop strategies to
baby-proof your relationship and lifestyle.
Class fee $35 per couple.
This class is taught by
Carrie Kenner or
Jennifer McArthur
