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One time events
Park Day – Saturday afternoon, October 24th

Boundaries Class – Tuesday, October 27th

On going groups
New Mama and Baby circle – Four Tuesday mornings starting October 13th

**ALL NEW!**
Monthly Parenting Tune Up with Carrie – Meeting once a month for three months either Monday mornings from 9:45-11:45 or Wednesday evenings from 7:15-9:15pm

Here’s some info on this new offering:

Do you feel on track with your parenting, overall, but in need of a tune up now and again? Would you like a little more support, information and inspiration?

How about a once a month meeting to help you feel confident and cared for along the way?

click here to learn more…

Here are some of the thoughts I shared…

The key to healthy sleep habits is CALMING – You and your child

Your goal at bedtime is to help your child’s brain shift from an awake state to a calm state. How?

Activating the calming brain chemicals – oxytocin and melatonin. How?

1) Resource yourself so your brain is communicating that it’s safe to calm down. This means taking a moment or two before bedtime to fill your own cup so that you are able to be present with your baby or child while they are preparing to separate from you for the night.

2) Create a soothing routine for the child

Why?

“If stress chemicals are being strongly activated in your own brain, you can’t expect to bring your child down from an arousal state. Your tone is everything, and if you are tense, uptight or irritated, or angry your attempts to be calm will be false ones. All too easily, your stress and anger can activate the alarm systems in your child’s brain, making him feel too unsafe to go to sleep. On the other hand if your brain is strongly activating opiods, and your voice is gentle, quiet and soothing, this can be deeply reassuring for your child and he is more likely to respond to you.” – From The Science of Parenting

Stay present and connected through the process. Your child will feel it if you are trying to disconnect before she feels like she’s had a chance to fully connect with you in order to calm down enough to fall asleep.

How can I activate my child’s calming brain chemicals?

• Create an atmosphere of peace and safety – dim lights
• Make bedtime as spacious as you can – try not to be rushed
• Create a bedtime routine that works for you and stick to it
• Keep it moving but stay connected
• Create a mantra or affirmation about feeling safe and secure and ready to sleep
• Create bedtime rituals that are about connection – gratitudes, sending love, special kisses, etc.
• Tell the story of the day with a slow, melodic, quiet voice
• Snuggle up and read stories
• Lay with your child and quietly breathe or meditate – imagine that you are turning down your internal volume knob

What to be mindful of during the day?

• Exercise is key — If a child has extra energy to burn it will be hard to settle for sleep
• Lots of fresh air and natural daylight
• Eating a relatively balanced diet – try to avoid protein two hours before bed and definitely limit sugar. A Carby snack like a banana is a good pre-bed option
• Be open and available to some good hard meltdowns. The emotional release during the day can help children sleep better and longer at night
• Try to fill your own cup up throughout the day so you are not insanely depleted at bedtime

Some things to consider when making changes in the sleep routine…

1. Ask yourself: “Why are we doing it?” Because you need it to change or others think/say you should?
2. Acknowledge and examine any ambivalence you might hold before you begin to create any real change.
3. The commitment to change must be made before you embark.
4. Decide on the outcome you want: really imagine it happening, visualize it. If you can’t see it and feel it, it’s probably not time. If you can, write about it, talk about it, share it with your child, make it a part of your life.
5. Talk to your child about the change; don’t just start without informing the child.
6. Look at life and what is coming up: make sure you are in a position /place to settle into making the necessary change in a slow and mindful manner
7. Determine how long you are willing/able to give it before you change the plan.
8. Continuously assess and ask: is this working for us?
9. If it’s not time to make any change, you can still be planting the seeds by creating and stating affirmations of where you want to go.
10. No matter what you decide to do or which phase you are in in the process, appreciate where you are. Grateful presence for the moment you are in.
11. Trust that this too shall pass. All of the hundreds of children I’ve watched grow up, even the most challenging sleeper, do indeed sleep through the night one day.

Here are some questions to ask yourself before embarking on making changes around sleep…

What is the most challenging part about bedtime/sleep for me right now as a parent?

What was bedtime/sleep like for me as a child?

What do I want bedtime/sleep to feel like?

How do I want bedtime/sleep to look like?

What’s currently working for us around sleep? (remember, what you appreciate appreciates so focus on what is actually working)

How many of us would call ourselves a doctor, teacher, counselor, developmental psychologist, etc. with little to no training? And yet, you  are expected to fulfill all of these roles and more for your children with little to no support. You deserve a guide to travel with you on your journey.

You intuitively have a strong sense of how you would like to parent but there is little support for that way of parenting

Most parents know how they want to parent their children and they find themselves struggling to get there. You do not need an expert telling you how to parent, you need an empathetic, informed nurturing guide who will listen to your desires and concerns and help you pack the tools and forge the path that will lead you toward you destination.

Books are not enough

Yes, there are some really great books out there but who has time to read? You’re busy parenting! Plus, how do you know what’s worth reading and what’s really not?

Classes are not enough

Classes are useful but they often take time away from being with your family and do not address your family’s specific issues and needs.

Doctor visits are not enough

Doctors are trained to effectively treat illness. They are often not equipped to support your child’s optimal development, especially their emotional development. And, because of our current healthcare system, office visits are short and doctors less accessible to their patients then ever before. No longer are many doctors available to answer your child development questions but a parent coach is available.

You want the latest information on human development but don’t have time to do  the research

Everyday we are learning more and more about the importance of early human development on a child’s lifelong health and wellbeing. Allow me to offer you the latest scientific research in a simple, easy to understand way that is directly relevant to you and your child.

You want to understand what motivates your children and their challenging behavior

All children are different. What works for some may not work for others. When children misbehave they are communicating something about how they are feeling. Through our work together you will come to view your children and their behavior in new ways. As a result, you will be able to help them optimize their greatest potential.

You need practical tools for strengthening your family bonds

Dealing with children can be challenging. Through our work together I can offer you a customized set of parenting tools that will make parenting easier and strengthen your family bonds.

You love your children and want to offer them the best start possible in life

You would do anything in the world to give your children a great life. So what’s the secret? The secret ingredients needed for children to grow up happy and healthy are simple  – They need Love, Connection and Safety from their parents. These are easier to provide for children when you feel informed, supported and empowered throughout the parenting process. Allow me to support you and your family on your journey!

BOUNDARIES…

Parenting Your Child Ages 1-5: Setting Boundaries – Saturday July 18th, 10am-12:30pm

If you cannot make it to the Saturday class I’m also offering the very same class in the evening on Thursday July 23rd, 7pm-9:30pm, $45/person. Please email me (carrie@earlyparenting.com) if that is a better option for you. If neither work, let me know and I’ll schedule another one for August.

PARENTING FOR A PEACEFUL WORLD BOOK GROUP…

If you are interested in a longer, more intensive class, please join us for Parenting For a Peaceful World book study group.
I’m offering a Dads only class that starts on Wednesday, August 19th and meets every other week for six sessions. And I’m offering a Moms only class that starts on Wednesday, August 26th and meets every other week for six sessions. If you sign up as a couple or with a friend there is a price break.
To sign up one person

To sign up two people and receive a price break

PRENATAL PARENTING…

Prenatal Parenting Right From the Start. If you are pregnant or know someone who is pregnant please join me for this class. It’s a great way to start the parenting journey. Four classes, Starting Tuesday August 18th from 7-9pm

MOTHER’S FIVE HOUR FILL UP…

If you are needing to fill your cup join us for a day of relaxation and self-reflection. Friday, August 7th, 9am-2pm

ADDING A SECOND CHILD…

If you are pregnant with your second child and would like tips and tools on how to make the transition smooth for everyone in your family please email me and let me know. I have not scheduled the class yet but I will be offering one soon.

Here’s what people are saying about the classes.

I hope to see you soon! Please feel free to pass this on to friends and family.