Past list view

Pregnant?

Do you have questions that you really aren't finding answers for?

There are so many things to know, tips and tricks, suggestions that might really benefit your first pregnancy. Learning from the experience of others in effort to give you the best possible birth experience is invaluable.

This gathering will be especially for those in the group who are pregnant for the first time.

Whether you plan to birth at home, in a birth center, or in the hospital, you are invited. (If there is enough interest, we can schedule multiple gatherings, geared specifically for each birthing choice.)

The gathering won't push an agenda, but will discuss issues and processes from all different perspectives. And it is likely, given enough interest, we conduct a few sessions to cover everything.

So, if you feel like you want to connect on a level a little different and more personal than what the hospital or pre-natal classes generally offer, RSVP now and we'll start planning.

Answers to questions about the changes your body goes through, during your pregnancy and after birth
Breastfeeding Support and Instruction
Newborn Preparation for the Home & the New Parents
Discussion on Common Baby Products and Necessities
Answers to Common Concerns as well as the tough and/or personal questions that often go unspoken
Stories of Birth Without Fear: A discussion of why fear leads to tension, which leads to pain during birth

Local childbirth professionals will be invited to join us to share their wisdom and knowledge.

Each gathering will require specific RSVP, including feedback of what each attendee is seeking from the meeting. These will not be general discussions, but rather a directed conversation meant to give answers to those seeking them.

DATE & LOCATION LIKELY TO CHANGE, BUT FOR THE SAKE OF SCHEDULING
Care to offer to host at your location/home?
Also, we need some of those in the group to offer to assist in preparation of this gathering, and will need RSVP's as soon as possible. If you are interested, just RSVP and send me a note of what date works best for you (please choose a Sat if you can). If enough are interested in this session and enough offer to assist in session preparation, we can schedule this whenever is good for the group.

More details to follow...

If you fit any of the following, then you should join us.

Have a child who already uses Sign
Wish to begin teaching your child(ren) Sign
Pregnant and thinking about using Sign when your little one comes

Join us for an informal gathering for learning and sharing this special method of communication with our little ones.

We will sing, play, practice our signs, and let our little ones talk to each other (and us)!
Note: There is no expectation of the children using the signs as they often "clam up" until they are familiar with their surroundings, but we can use them and encourage and just play! Any children present will open up when they are comfortable; this time will not be one of competition as these sort of gatherings sometimes turn into. (To that end, my own daughter, though she knows many signs, will likely not demonstrate a single one if she feels like I want her to, so really, there is no expectation set here... Just a time for fun and sharing.)

You are encouraged to bring your child(ren) up to age 36 months (we can do a session for older kids if there's enough interest in the future). Parents, grandparents, anyone your child is cared for by frequently, curious friends, etc.. all are welcome.

We will be using true ASL, focusing on how to recognize the variations children will produce, while still reinforcing the use of the actual sign.

Please RSVP with your interest and if you have any suggestion of a location more central than my house (needs to be a private and non-chaotic place), please let me know.

Also, just to spread the word, for anyone who is hesitant to incorporate Signing, my daughter is an example of how wonderful it can be for a very young child to have this alternate method for communication. Spoken words come when the child is ready; signing with a child does not inhibit or delay their speech, because in most cases, the spoken word accompanies the sign. Signing does however function beautifully to lessen frustration for both the child and parent. And when your little one can have a conversation with you that most children twice his/her age cannot, you will understand the true power in this language.

If you have questions or concerns, please let me know ahead of time so I can be prepared to address them.

Angie