Oooooooooo. Halloween is almost here. Do you have plans to celebrate with your baby?
There are so many costumes to fit your little one. But when we are talking about face paints, natural is best. We don’t want to use toxic face paints on their tender skin. Safe cosmetics has some alternatives and ‘make it yourself’ recipes to try. Remember, when putting anything on babies skin, test a small patch and watch for reactions before lathering it on.
http://safecosmetics.org/
Robert Coles is a professor of psychiatry and medical humanities and the author of numerous books, including his series Children of Crisis, for which he won a Pulitzer Prize.
I first read Robert Coles when I was a child development specialist in a home visitation HIV/drug treatment program in the inner city. Coming from a stable home in suburbia, I needed to understand more about families, specifically children, in crisis because I was caught in the middle of a war zone. What I learned from his teachings were about children’s struggles and survival in our society all of which is relevant to child development today.
One day, I drove 4 hours to go to a conference where he was speaking. And if there is one person that I am glad I have met in my life, its him.
Now, you can listen to his stories as well. This is a video from a talk he gave at Harvard, called “Children Consider Human Conflict.”
Dr. Coles body of work is extensive. Here are some of his books that I recommend.
The Call of Stories.
The Spirituality of Children.
The Moral Intelligence of Children.
The Story of Ruby Bridges. (Children’s book he wrote, based on his work with Ruby Bridges)
The First Annual Immunization Panel will be presented by the Bay Area Homebirth Collective. Here is what they say about it,
“We will present a lively discussion with various experts from a range of backgrounds and beliefs designed to help parents make informed decisions about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of childhood immunizations. The event is free but donations are gladly welcomed.
Date: Saturday November 10th Time: 1-4pm Location: Finnish Hall, 1970 Chestnut Street (at University), Berkeley CA 94702
I know your baby has probably already arrived….but perhaps you know of a family member or friend that is searching for a Childbirth class? I would highly recommend checking out Jessica’s class if so!
Here is the information and details.
Holistic Childbirth Prep 5-week Series
It takes courage and confidence to plan for a natural birth, but it can also be one of the most miraculous and blissful experiences of your life! The myriad of choices surrounding pregnancy and childbirth can seem overwhelming at times, but the simple truth is that knowledge is power. My goal is to support and empower expectant parents to create their own intimate, natural birth experience.
This 5-week comprehensive series is designed to prepare you for the last weeks of pregnancy, labor, birth and postpartum recovery, as well as breastfeeding and newborn care. Sessions are 3 1/2 hours each on Saturdays. Classes include beautiful birth videos, valuable handouts, a copy of Ina May’s Guide to Natural Childbirth, hands-on activities and each end with a relaxation exercise.
Topics covered include:
– Self Care in Pregnancy
– The anatomy and physiology of normal birth
– The emotional aspects of the birth experience
– The baby’s experience of labor and birth
– The role of a supportive partner, friend or family member
– Comfort Measures & Coping Techniques such as:
– Understanding pain: Injury vs. Natural Process
– Movement & Positions
– Water Therapy
– Breath Work & Vocalizing
– Massage & Counter pressure
– Techniques for back pain and long labors
– Variations on normal labor, and how to respond to them
– Risks and benefits of common interventions, how to avoid them and if they become necessary
– Postpartum Mother Care
– Newborn Care & Breastfeeding
An emphasis is devoted to caring for the postpartum mother, as this is a topic sorely absent from our culture. We will also discuss differences between hospital and home birth, creating your birth team and Informed Choice.
Participating in an 5-week series may seem like a long commitment, but its really an investment, giving opportunity to truly absorb information, practice relaxation and create a sense of community with other parents. Taught by Jessica Christen, Licensed Midwife, Certified Professional Midwife.
Cost: $300 per couple (sliding scale for lower income families, no less than $150 per couple)
Dates*: Dec 1st, 8th, 15th, Jan 5th, 12th Saturdays 10am-1:30pm
Perfect for EDDs end Jan thru early March
Location: Jessica Christen’s Home in Lower Oakland Hills
3915 Laguna Ave Oakland CA 94602
Contact: Jessica Christen, LM, CPM
blissmidwifery@gmail.com
* Weekend and Private sessions can also be offered
* Dates are flexible depending on need and interest, please call or email for more information.
I recommend checking into the new services that Teresa Currivan will be offering at Bloom Retreat in Walnut Creek. Here are the details:
Ongoing Mothers Support Group: Monday Nights, 7-9 pm. ($25 or $100 for 5 sessions)
Finding the Wise Mother Within Workshop: Saturday, Oct. 20, and Saturday, Nov. 10, 1-3pm. ($35)
Free Meet the Therapist and Meet Other Mothers: This Saturday, Oct. 13, 1-2pm.
Contact Teresa at (925) 478-7966. Or Teresa_Currivan@att.net. (Website coming…)
All are at Bloom Retreat: 1444 S. Main Street, Walnut Creek. http://www.bloomretreat.com/
Bio: Teresa Currivan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist. Through her experience as a mother, and as a therapist, Teresa has developed a deep belief that we all have a wise “inner mother,” and that we need to train ourselves to hear that voice within. She received her Master’s Degree in Counseling Psychology using Drama Therapy from CIIS in San Francisco. She is a graduate of the Psychotherapy Institute’s Post-graduate training program in Berkeley, and has been a student of indigenous studies for 15 years. Teresa has worked with mothers of various backgrounds in the community health setting. Through her workshops, support groups, and individual sessions, Teresa hopes to help mothers to remember their own inner mother-wisdom.