Programs for Parents
As a parent, you have infinite love and wisdom to give. At the same time, there can be the added pressure and uncertainty of not knowing if you are making the best choices for your family and child. We want to bring joy (and confidence!) into parenting by sharing knowledge, expertise and experiences so you can enjoy, understand and appreciate all your child’s milestones. Parent with clarity and assurance, knowing you have the best parenting techniques behind your decisions! And to reward yourself for all your patience and hard work, check out our “Me Moment” body treatment options!
Momtography 101
photo taking tips for moms
Artist, Baker, Banker, Caregiver, Chauffeur, Staff Photographer… we do it all! Every mom wants to document their children’s lives, not missing any intricate detail. What we end up with is a 1,001 digital images stuck in our computer that are mediocre. Most of us struggle because the time between naps, feedings, and on our lunch breaks, is precious little and reading about how to take better pictures doesn’t always make it to the top of the priority list. Momtography 101 to the rescue! Whether you have the simplest point and shoot or the latest DSLR, we’ve designed a crash course on the quick and dirty of photography, providing you all the most important tips and tricks necessary to get a basic understanding of photography and improve your mom-tographer skills.
- Saturday, June 23rd @ 12:45
- Free!
If you’re learning about this event less than 48 hours prior, please call 591-2332 to confirm that it’s being held.
Mom-to-Mom
a weekly encouragement gathering for moms
You made it through the birth – now what?! Being a new mom is like riding a roller coaster. One day you’re on the top of the hill feeling confident and happy, the next day you’re flying down the hill feeling out of control and at a loss of how to cope! You may even secretly be thinking, “Let me off this ride!”. Where can you turn to for support, encouragement, and understanding? The CFEC! We’re here for you. Join us weekly for as long as you need the companionship of other new parents struggling with the same issues as you. We understand; we’ve been there.
- every Monday @ 10:30 – for 16 month olds & up
- every Thursday @ 10:30 – from Birth to 15 months
- Children encouraged!
Cost: Complimentary
RSVP to Iona @ iona.muir@gmail.com
BellyRobics!
belly dancing – from pregnancy through life!
Belly dancing has a long history of exercising the muscles that are used during childbirth and to strengthen and maintain muscle tone as we mature. Taking cues from Tribal Fusion Belly Dance, a combination of Middle Eastern Belly Dance, Flamenco, Classical Indian dances, North African and Salsa dances, this fun alternative exercise option teaches how to connect to the feminine aspects of strength, power and confidence. Join us as we prepare our bodies for the journey of childbirth or revel in whatever stage of motherhood you’re currently experiencing! Women at all stages of life welcomed.
- Saturdays; 9:30-10:15
- Summer Term TBD
- Sling-worn babies welcomed.
- No special clothing is necessary.
*It is advised that mothers not return to class before 6 weeks postpartum. Please consult caregiver before attending.
Register for BellyRobics! ($60.00, One person, Helping Hand Members)
Register for BellyRobics! ($54, One person, Helping Hug/Heart Members)
Tummy2Tummy
choosing & using a baby sling or carrier
Social conditioning has led parents to believe that if a baby is held or carried too frequently they’ll be spoiled, clingy, or demanding. Modern research reveals quite the opposite! Babies worn in slings are less clingy and tend to initiate separation much earlier than babies less frequently held. The close proximity of the baby enables parents to respond to ‘non-crying’ signals, which results in less frustration and stress, and most of all… less crying – 40 to 50 less compared to unworn babies! BabyWearing calms the fussiest of babies whether due to a higher-needs personality, aiding good digestion by easing the symptoms of colic and reflux, and promoting better sleep patterns. BabyWearing not only promotes an intimate connection between parent and baby, it is one of the most important factors in the healthy social, motor, and intellectual development of infants. BabyWearing allows parents the freedom to go about their normal daily routine while allowing their child to be at the center of activity not the center of attention, providing the physical and psychological benefits of a sense of security, emotional contentment, and the building of a solid sense of self-esteem. But how do you choose the right sling, wrap, or carrier for you? Our baby-wearing moms and experts will share their favorites with you and assist you in trying out a variety of choices at our next demo!
- Saturday, June 9th @ 11:30
- Babies encouraged!
- Free!
If you’re learning about this event less than 48 hours prior, please call 591-2332 to confirm that it’s being held.
These aren’t Your Momma’s Cloth Diapers!
Did you know there are almost 60 different chemicals in a disposable diaper? The average child uses 10,000 diapers before learning to use the toilet. If your baby is in disposable diapers for 2 1/2 years, you’ll use 20 trees and 420 gallons of petroleum. We throw away 18 billion disposable diapers a year, and it takes hundreds of years for them to decompose, meaning every disposable diaper ever used is still out there! Keep chemicals off your baby, save money, and help the environment – consider cloth diapers! Worried it will be too hard, too inconvenient, too messy? Today’s cloth diapers use no pins, no rubber pants and need no rinsing, and if you use a diaper service it’s as simple as taking out the trash. Best news of all - babies diapered in cloth learn to use the toilet about a year earlier than kids who wear disposables! Want to know more? Cloth diapering mom/expert and owner of our city’s only diaper service, Good Natured Baby, will be on hand to answer all your questions.
- Saturday, May 19 @ 11:30
- Free!
If you’re learning about this event less than 48 hours prior,
please call 591-2332 to confirm that it’s being held.
SOLO
Support for People Parenting Alone
Whether single by choice or single by circumstance, parenting alone creates unique challenges and extra demands. Join us for encouragement, support, and a listening ear from peers who really understand what parenting alone is like. We’re growing a parenting community network where the focus is on building friendships with others who are also “flying solo” on their parenting adventure.
- meets the 1st Tuesday & 3rd Thursday of each month
- Children are welcomed, of course!
RSVP to Keena @ keena_marie@yahoo.com
Attachment Parenting Family Gatherings
In the last 60 years, the behaviors of attachment have been studied extensively by psychology and child development researchers, and more recently, by researchers studying the brain. These studies revealed that infants are born “hardwired” with strong needs to be nurtured and to remain physically close to their primary caregiver, usually the mother, during the first few years of life. The child’s emotional, physical, and neurological development is greatly enhanced when these basic needs are met consistently and appropriately. Attachment Parenting promotes parenting practices that create strong, healthy emotional bonds between children and their parents – for life. So they can take those bonds with them into their adult lives and share them with their children – and their children can do the same. A life cycle of compassion and connection.
This is just one of many parenting styles/philosophies. If you feel it might be right for your family, visit their next gathering.
- 2nd Saturday of every month; 4:00 – 6:00
- to RSVP or inquire about AP contact Bethany
Gift Certificates
Experiences are such amazing gifts! Think of all the ways a CFEC gift certificate could be used: a Tummy Time class for a shower gift, a children's series as a birthday present, a parent workshop for a spouse, a membership for a friend. And as a thank you to the purchaser, you'll receive one free class of your choice! Stop by the center today to pick one up for your next special event.
"Our children do not follow our words, but our actions. "
— James Baldwin
Parent Testimonials
Thanks so much for your comforting and encouraging words this morning. I'm not sure what I would do without you and the CFEC. Really!!
— carolyn
You have created such a warm, welcoming, & supportive space, and it has been such a blessing for us. You are such a wonderful gift to the families of Cincy! We're moving away next week and the CFEC is one of the things we'll miss most of all.
— Silke
I could not have become the confident mother and wife that I am without the center and without the mom's at the center... thank you all so much!
— Sara
I would like to have my son's first birthday party at the CFEC since he has spent most of his life up to this point at the center taking classes. You all have done such a wonderful job with him, this is a great way for me to continue to support the center!
— Taisha
I absolutely love the center! It is such a great gift and much needed in this area. With the economic environment, it is such a gem! We especially love the signing class; it's unbelievable that Melody can hold our 6 month old's attention the whole class!
— Erica