Workshops

All workshops are run regularly at the Family Nurturing Centre. If a current date is not set and enough register interest we will run one in the following weeks. We are also available to come to your organization or parenting group.

Breastfeeding Education

A common response in pregnancy is to focus on the approaching birth and the many changes experienced during pregnancy. While this is understandable, it is also important to give equal attention and time to preparing for the journey of parenthood and the breastfeeding relationship.

Research has demonstrated the importance of antenatal education as part of this process. The most effective antenatal education highlights benefits and breastfeeding ‘attachment techniques’ and also facilitates honest discussion and education about expectations, myths, challenges, how to create a supportive environment, work-family balance, night-time sleeping and more, because this is the information that will support you for the long term.

The FNC specializes in bringing this extra dimension to our breastfeeding education. We have created an environment that gives long term support of breastfeeding and nurturing-based on ‘attachment parenting’.

The large number of mum’s breastfeeding at the FNC reinforces the gold standard set by the World Alliance for Breastfeeding Action (WABA) and helps to create a friendly atmosphere where breastfeeding is culturally appreciated. The Gold Standard is based on extensive international research which has affirmed that breastfeeding for six months exclusively and up to two years and beyond is optimal for babies and toddlers.

Our antenatal breastfeeding education workshops draw on the experience of generations of our breastfeeding mums. We will prepare you for the immediate post–partum time period and also give information not usually found in a hospital based workshops that will help you in the short and long term. Fathers are encouraged to participate. A Breastfeeding Information pack is included with each workshop.

Therapeutic Yoga Workshop for Mums and Dads

Learn Simple yoga routines to care for your back and hips, to nurture you and help you De-stress. Includes an information package to take home for your daily practice.

A large part of the ‘workload’ of parenthood is carrying babies and toddlers and this has many benefits for the child/parent relationship. Women in particular are frequently the carriers in the family, for example carrying the daily shopping and in today’s multi-tasking world carrying a computer and office work to attend while at children’s sport activities etc. Over time this can stress and strain the body unless you have preventative measures in place.

A parent’s attention is often focused on the care of the child and all parents recognize the challenge of balancing caring for your individual needs and those of your family and children. Many of us have pre-existing issues or misalignment with our postures/bodies. It is important to take time to learn simple preventative and self management routines to care for your back, hips etc. By taking this time to focus mindful attention on yourself your mental health will also benefit, reducing stress and preventing depression.

The therapeutic yoga routines taught at this workshop will help you to adjust to carrying your growing baby, the physical demands of night-time parenting and breastfeeding. Parents with children of all ages will benefit.

Mindful Birthing

Pregnancy is an exceptionally powerful time to do mindfulness training. Mindfulness helps to integrate the many changes in the body, prepare for the birth and the journey into parenthood. Skills learned help to reduce associated anxiety, cope with pain in labour and enhance early attachment and bonding. Couples benefit enormously from doing training together at this time. Mindfulness is one of the key life skills to help you create a happy and healthy home.

For more information on Mindfulness visit www.makingsenseofmentalhealth.org which has lots of information about our dedicated Well-Being Program.

The Mindful Parent

“Parenting is one of the most challenging, demanding, and stressful jobs on the planet. It is also one of the most important. How it is done influences in great measure the heart and soul and consciousness of the next generation, their experience of meaning and connection, their repertoire of life skills, and their deepest feelings about themselves and their possible place in a rapidly changing world. Yet those of us who become parents do so virtually without preparation or training, with little or no guidance or support, and in a world that values producing far more than nurturing, doing far more than being.”
         Everyday Blessings: The Inner Work of Mindful Parenting by Myla and Jon Kabat-Zinn.

The Journey of parenthood is one of constant change, transition, adjustment and balancing of different needs and pressures. It is easy to lose perspective, become overwhelmed by emotions, and caught in worry and the frazzle of multi-tasking. When pre-occupied and stressed we are unavailable to ourselves and our children. We are disconnected from our own bodies, feelings and breath. Our ability to attune to our children and ourselves is diminished and we can become reactive in our words and actions.

Love, joy and wonder flow from momentary awareness. By being in the moment we bring balance, calm and connectedness to our lives. Developing the skills and practice of mindfulness is vital to the well-being of the family and all its members.

For more information on Mindfulness visit www.makingsenseofmentalhealth.org which has lots of information about our dedicated Well-Being Program.