This is the class that we took when we were expecting our daughter last year and it is very special to us in that it is our very first course offered at Ali's Wagon. Birthing From Within empowers parents-to-be to make informed decisions concerning pregnancy, birth, and parenthood, with a particular focus on learning the skills and techniques needed to cope with un-medicated birth. This class will be taught by Mari-Carmen Farmer, a mother of three children who has spent the last seven years working as a local birth doula, childbirth instructor, and advocate for teen parents. Mari-Carmen has facilitated several many successful Birthing from Within classes at Ali's Wagon.
The class will meet on every evening for 6 weeks, from 7:00-9:30. The fee is $225/couple.
Sessions:
Tuesday Evenings, October 28th - December 2nd. Workshop Full
2009 Classes:
Tuesday Evenings, January 27th - February 24th, 2009. Registration Open
(An additional class session will be scheduled at the convenience of the class participants once the class has been filled).
Tuesday Evenings, March 17th - April 21th, 2009. Registration Open
Tuesday Evenings, May 5th - June 9th, 2009. Registration Open
Space is limited to 5 couples per session. For more information and to register please click here.
My Baby, My Self
The first year of your baby's life and your first year of life with a baby
Having a baby is a joyous experience but it can also be an incredibly tough time of transition and anxiety. A baby brings new and often confusing (not to mention exhausting!) changes to our bodies, our focus and our careers as well as our relationships with our partners and friends. This facilitated discussion group will alternate weeks meeting with a pediatrician and with a post-partum adjustment counselor to discuss topics of interest and concern to new parents.
Dr. Isa Thibault is a board certified pediatrician who graduated from Cornell University Medical College and trained at Sr. Christopher's Hospital for Children. She is a Clinical Assistant Professor at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and is currently in private practice. Her most important training, however, is her role as mother to Berkeley, 18 months. Join Isa to discuss questions and concerns that plague all first time parents who aren't sure what is "normal" to expect in the first months. This group is not meant to be a replacement for advice or care given by a family pediatrician but rather new parents will gain education, guidance and support around topics of newborn care, nutrition and common childhood infections.
Andrea Elovson is a writer and a post-partum adjustment counselor who is currently completing her post-partum doula training through The Doula Organization of North America. Andrea's parenting articles have been featured in Parenting, Kiwi and on babyzone.com. Andrea also brings the necessary on the job experience as mother to two boys, ages 17 months and 3 1/2 years, to aptly discuss issues that come with early parenting such as surviving sleep deprivation, easing up on perfectionism and staying physically and emotionally healthy. Bring your baby, kick up your heels, and ask away while meeting other first time parents.
Cindi Ratner has been a Physician Assistant for 7 years specializing in Emergency Medicine and Pediatric Emergency Medicine. She works at St. Medical Center, Langhorne, PA where she is the Lead Physician Assistant. Cindi is a member of the Fairmount community and the loving Mommy to Madeline.
11:00-12:00 every Friday. $10 per session.
Upcoming Special Topics:
Taught by M. Davi Chandrasekaran of Sign With Me, this is a two-hour focused workshop created for parents/caregivers. Little ones from "baby in the belly" to toddler age are welcome. Attention is given to the following: when and how to incorporate signs while communicating with infants/toddlers for optimal benefit, learning and practicing more than 50 basic signs, and strategies for introducing beginning words, snack/mealtime signs, and bedtime signs through daily routines, songs, play, and fun activities. Handouts with workshop notes, list of signs, songs, and resources included. The recommended text used is SIGN with your BABY, by W. Joseph Garcia. It is available at most bookstores or can be ordered through the Sign With Me Shop Online. It will be available for purchase ($15) at the workshop. Registration is required for the workshop, and space is limited to 10 adults. The fee for the workshop is $30 for one parent/caregiver and child, $50 for two parents/caregivers and child.
Workshop Dates:
Sunday April 13, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Sunday May 18, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Sunday June 22, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Sunday July 20, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Sunday October 19, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Sunday November 16, 2008, 2:00-4:00
Davi has led many successful Sign With Me workshops at Ali's Wagon, and plans to schedule workshops approximately monthly at Ali's Wagon.
VBAC Preparation
A workshop to prepare mothers and their partners who are planning a vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC). Benefits and risks will be discussed as well as hospital protocol and pain management strategies for labor.
Workshop Dates:
February 15, 2009, 5:00
April 4, 2009, 5:00
$90 per couple
Register at Ali's Wagon by making full payment to secure space. Spaces are limited, though more classes may be added as demand increases. For specific information about the course please contact instructor Maria Brooks directly at 646.247.8841, or visit her website.
Refresher: Childbirth Preparation for the 2nd (or 3rd) time around
For those who have completed a childbirth preparation series, a great review of relaxation techniques, breathing, natural comfort measures, and the role of the support person. Opportunity for couples to discuss the joys and frustration of your past births and make plans for the next, a time out from parenthood to refocus on birth. Other topics include normal labor and common variations, hospital procedures, medication, cesarean delivery, and postpartum care.
Workshop Dates:
January 30, 2009, 7:00-9:00
March 22, 2009, 5:00-7:00
$90 per couple
Register at Ali's Wagon by making full payment to secure space. Spaces are limited, though more classes may be added as demand increases. For specific information about the course please contact instructor Maria Brooks directly at 646.247.8841, or visit her website.
Communication, Compromise and Co-Parenting: A
Workshop for Couples
Have you ever yelled at your partner because he didn't put the baby's diaper on right? Or longed for the days when you and your spouse could just jump on your bicycles and go? If so, you're not alone. One of the toughest, least acknowledged, issues of first-time parenthood is how it changes your interactions as a couple.
This three week course offers new parents a chance
to discuss and work through common obstacles to
closeness and communication. Topics include:
-How long-term
sleep
deprivation exacerbates anger/anxiety
-Debunking
the
myth of the "bumbling" father& the "natural" mother
-Easing up on control and perfectionism
-Grieving
the loss of your lives together pre-baby
-Finding
easy, inexpensive ways to reconnect as a couple
Babies six months and younger are welcome to attend.
Moderated by Andrea Elovson. Andrea Elovson is a mother of two and a New Parents' Educator. She provides first-time parenting classes at Ali's Wagon, the Maternal Wellness Center and the Mount Airy Learning Tree. Andrea is currently completing her certification as a Post-Partum Doula through DONA, the Doula Organization of North America.
Next workshop date to be announced
10:30-12:00
$100 dollars per couple. Space is extremely limited, please register early.
Get More Sleep For You and Your Baby
No one expects a newborn to walk out of the womb or sing her ABC's on the delivery table, but many new parents are surprised that their newborns don't sleep like adults.
What many first time parents don't know (because no one told them)...is that a baby's sleep pattern is a developmental issue that changes over time. Although no baby is identical, the majority of healthy babies progress along a fairly predictable sleep continuum in the first year. Knowing what "normal" or "typical" sleep really is can save you unnecessary worry and aggravation.
Workshop topics include:
-Understanding your baby's
sleep patterns month-by-month
-Safe, gentle ways to
help your baby develop healthy sleep habits
-Age
appropriate bed-time and nap schedules
-Keeping
yourself and your partner rested and debunking popular
sleep myths
Babies six months and under are welcome to attend.
Moderated by Andrea Elovson. Andrea Elovson is a mother of two and a New Parents' Educator. She provides first-time parenting classes at Ali's Wagon, the Maternal Wellness Center and the Mount Airy Learning Tree. Andrea is currently completing her certification as a Post-Partum Doula through DONA, the Doula Organization of North America.
This workshop is intended to demystify and simplify cloth diapering for parents interested in investigating them as an option for their child. Participants will discuss why it can be an environmentally sound and cost effective option for families. The workshop will include information about how to get started with cloth diapering, the range of products that are available, and how to choose and care for these products. Product samples will be available to experience firsthand so that participants can make an informed decision. The workshop will be facilitated by Jen Kinka. As a distributor for a variety of cloth diapering companies, she will be able to take orders at the time of the workshop at a price in line with those offered on the company websites. Jen is the mother of a one year old who spent the better part of her pregnancy researching the topic of cloth diapering and has cloth diapered her child for over a year. She found it to be a lot of hard work getting the facts and information straight. It shouldn't be so difficult. That is why she would like to share her knowledge and experiences with other families considering this option
$7.00/individual, $10.00/couple
Next workshop date to be announced
One Day Birthworks Childbirth Class
We are pleased to announce the addition of Birth Works one day, condensed, holistic birthing class. This class is intended for expectant mothers and their birthing partners. Space is extremely limited so please register early!
Birth Works classes focus on integrating the mind and body through nutrition, hands on comfort techniques, visualization and relaxation techniques, and evidence-based research to empower women and families to give birth in the way that is best for them. Topics range from prenatal nutrition and exercise, baby positioning in the womb for a safe and healthy birth, the natural process of labor, avoiding medical interventions and when they are really necessary, coping measures for labor, postpartum changes, breastfeeding, and more.
Instructor Brittany Sharpe McCollum is a certified childbirth educator, birth doula, and certified breastfeeding counselor, providing holistic birth services to the greater Philadelphia region. She is owner of Blossoming Bellies Holistic Birth Services and has been teaching classes and attending births since the birth of her son in 2006. The fee for this course is $150/couple. Please pre-register for this class with Brittany through email (britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com) or by phone at 215.462.0424 or 267.261.0284.
January 24, 2009, 11:30-5:00
March 28, 2009, 11:30-5:00
Breastfeeding 101: A prenatal class for expectant parents
This two hour class focuses on the ins and outs of breastfeeding, covering topics that include the benefit of breastfeeding, colostrum and mature milk, latching and positioning, what to expect in the first few months, common problems and their remedies, relaxation techniques and much much more. This class helps prepare expectant parents for the beauty and art of breastfeeding.
Instructor Brittany Sharpe McCollum is a certified childbirth educator, birth doula, and certified breastfeeding counselor, providing holistic birth services to the greater Philadelphia region. She is owner of Blossoming Bellies Holistic Birth Services and has been teaching classes and attending births since the birth of her son in 2006.
The fee for this workshop is $75 per couple and pre-registration is required. Please pre-register for this class with Brittany through email (britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com) or by phone at 215.462.0424 or 267.261.0284.
January 10, 2009, 11:30 – 1:30
New Mom’s Breastfeeding Group
Surround yourself with breastfeeding support and information in the company of other nursing mothers. Have your questions answered and build a community of new moms at our monthly breastfeeding support group. Each month’s meeting begins with a new topic but off-topic questions will always be addressed.
Instructor Brittany Sharpe McCollum is a certified childbirth educator, birth doula, and certified breastfeeding counselor, providing holistic birth services to the greater Philadelphia region. She is owner of Blossoming Bellies Holistic Birth Services and has been teaching classes and attending births since the birth of her son in 2006.
The fee for this workshop is $20 and pre-registration is required. Please pre-register for this class with Brittany through email (britt@blossomingbelliesbirth.com) or by phone at 215.462.0424 or 267.261.0284.
January 14, 2009, 11:30-1:00
February 11, 2009, 11:30-1:00
Attachment Parenting: How To Make It Work For You
Co-Sleeping? Breastfeeding? Babywearing? Attachment Parenting? Birth Bonding? What does this all mean? Do I have to follow all the rules of Attachment Parenting to do it right? Will I be able to go back to work? How does Daddy fit into all of it? Will I loose time for myself? HELP!!!!!
Join Brandi Davis to learn about Attachment Parenting and how to make it work for you. Be introduced to what Attachment Parenting is and the basics of what is involved. Discover how Attachment Parenting promotes the brain development of your baby and decreases your baby’s crying while increasing closeness and parental awareness about what your baby is saying. Find out how Attachment Parenting lays the groundwork for less disciplinary need for your child in the future. Parents will be introduced to the tools of “AP” and together we will find the right ones for your parenting tool belt.
Parenting Coach Brandi Davis uses her Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, her Associate Certified Coach Designation, and her 14 years of joyously teaching young children to help families smooth out the sometimes-bumpy road of parenting. As a Parenting Coach Brandi wears the hats of: Sounding Board, Brainstorming and Roll Playing Partner, Child Development Resource and more, for parents interested in finding new strategies to tackle their parenting road bumps. Parents can also find Brandi teaching Parenting Classes at Montgomery County Community College and on her web site, www.childandfamilycoaching.com .
March 14, 2009
11:30-1:00
$50/individual, $70/couple
Please register by calling Ali’s Wagon or in person at the store.
I Asked For a Bike Not a Baby; Introducing a big brother or sister to the new baby
“I hate the baby” “Those are my clothes” “Why do you need another kid?”
You may be more than ready and excited to add to your wonderful family but perhaps there is someone in your house who is less than thrilled about the occasion. Young children do not like to share, especially their parents. I Asked For a Bike Not a Baby will give you ideas and help to prepare you for what lays ahead for your family when you bring home baby.
Join Brandi to see the “excitement “of a new baby from the side of the sibling. Regression, strong feelings, and sibling preparation activities are just a few things that will be covered in this class. After stories, book recommendations, roll playing and class discussions parents will leave with a new outlook on what to expect and how to work with their children to make bringing home baby as positive a experience as possible
Parenting Coach Brandi Davis uses her Bachelors of Science in Child Development and Family Studies, her Associate Certified Coach Designation, and her 14 years of joyously teaching young children to help families smooth out the sometimes-bumpy road of parenting. As a Parenting Coach Brandi wears the hats of: Sounding Board, Brainstorming and Roll Playing Partner, Child Development Resource and more, for parents interested in finding new strategies to tackle their parenting road bumps. Parents can also find Brandi teaching Parenting Classes at Montgomery County Community College and on her web site, www.childandfamilycoaching.com .
January 31, 2009
11:30-1:00
$50/individual, $70/couple
Please register by calling Ali’s Wagon or in person at the store.