CURRENT WORKSHOPS BEING OFFERED.

2:3 PLANNING TO BE PARENTS PROGRAM

One of the most difficult transitions a couple makes is going from being a family of two to a family of three (or more!). Whether you are in a planned or unplanned pregnancy, adoption, or foster care process, your vision for your family life will soon be tested when your child comes home. These “beginning parenting” years are sadly often the start of marital breakdowns.

Parenting is hard and if your first child is an infant, the amount of care needed, coupled with sleep deprivation, can be overwhelming. You can easily slip into tunnel vision, with so much time and energy dedicated to the baby/child that you lose focus on your own needs and self-care, let alone caring for your marriage. Couples often become disconnected emotionally, sexually, and mentally. Life becomes all about the child and the couple’s friendship gets left behind. With both partners stressed, tired, and distracted, it is a vulnerable time for other sources of care and affection to creep into your marriage.

Birthing or adoption classes are wonderful ways to prepare for the child’s arrival, needs, and care! Some classes might even include a few parenting tips. But, what about preparing your marriage, your partnership-- the foundation of your family, for the change that is coming? A stable and satisfying marriage is one of the best contributors to a well-adjusted, happy family for your child to grow up in!  Therefore, taking care of your marriage is one of the greatest means for raising a happy, healthy child.

The Planning to Be Parents program is an 8-week workshop focused on how to transition your marriage into a family with children. Topics covered include:

• The 10 Building Blocks of a Firm Family Foundation

• Creating a Vision for Your Family

• Parenting Together:  Styles & Systems for Raising Kids

• Managing Stress & Self-Care

• Staying Connected:  Friendship, Sex, & Emotional Intimacy

• New Boundaries: Extended Family, Friends, & Career 

• Practical Practices for the First 3 Months

• When What to Expect When You’re Expecting didn’t prepare you for the Unexpected: Dealing with unexpected complications

Your best opportunity for a smooth transition is to prepare to make it happen! This is family planning!

AGES & STAGES

As parents, we all want to be the best parents we can be so our kids have the best chance at growing into responsible, healthy adults.  Maybe you have even read a book or blog, took a college class, joined an online group, or got advice from our own parents about how to make that happen! But most of the time, we learn as we grow. If you are looking for a map or blueprint for how to create the most optimal family environment for your child to thrive in, this workshop will meet that need!

The goal of this workshop is to provide you with a quick and deep summary of child and family development and help you to create a plan for a healthy family environment. In it, you will learn:

• Typical stages of child development

• The family life cycle

• Parenting strategies for every stage of development

• The difference between horizontal and vertical stressors

• The building blocks to create a firm family foundation

MARITAL ENRICHMENT

Do you know that a good marriage is a proven buffer against physical and mental illness? Putting forth dedicated effort to assess where you are in your marriage and where you are going is a very wise investment! Many couples aren’t looking for therapy to delve into deeper relationship issues or resolve ongoing conflict. They just need a booster shot to get them out of a rut and keep them growing and moving forward.

The goal of this workshop is NOT to help couples in crisis to resolve issues or dissect struggles. It is meant for stable, committed couples who are seeking ways to enhance their relationship and build resiliency for the future. The goal of the workshop is to help couples capitalize on their strengths, celebrate their commitment, sharpen their interpersonal skills, and increase their emotional bond.

Couples will learn:

• The stages of marriage and family development

• Tools for growing their friendship and adding fun to their relationship

• Methods for building emotional connection

• Communication and conflict resolution skills

• How to create a marital vision

• Strategies for enhancing their sex intimacy

If workshop details are not listed, please contact the office for further information on upcoming dates and times! Please check back often as new topics are added.