Pregnancy & Beyond

Pregnant and new parents need a place where they can go to assist them in their search in making the best choices possible during pregnancy, birth, and early parenting for themselves and their babies.  We certainly don’t have all the answers, because there is no one right way to birth or parent, but we hope our programs and products will be helpful and enlightening, assisting you on your journey of self-discovery.  We want you to be empowered, feeling confident that you are in charge of your choice-making, whether it’s preparing for your fantasy birth experience, advocating for your newborn, or making safe and healthy first-year parenting choices. We strive to provide an open-eye environment, that is nonjudgemental, unbiased, and affirming.



Blessingway Ceremony

a pregnancy celebration

Giving birth is a key life passage for women. But modern culture has become preoccupied with the arrival of the baby-to-be and has lost touch with birth’s profound impact on the expectant mother. The Blessingway is a mother-centered ceremony that honors a woman as she prepares to transition through pregnancy and birth into motherhood. Presently, our society marks this transition time by having a baby shower. The addition of the Blessingway can “round out” the experience; instead of the focus being solely on the baby, it is on the role of the family, particularly, the mother.

The Blessingway encircles the mother-to-be with love and support from the most important women in her life and is a custom-designed ceremony with a variety of joyful and sacred rituals that honor and pamper the mother-to-be, instilling a sense of power and confidence, encouraging the mother to prepare mentally, emotionally, and spiritually for the work of birthing, opening her to her instinctive abilities.

The CFEC would be honored to host your Blessingway.  Please contact our ceremony facilitator, Mindy Mossman at mindyblessing@me.com

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 Thursday; 10:30am
  • 3rd Saturday of every month; 11:30am
  • Your children are welcomed.

Cost: Complimentary

RSVP to Iona @ iona.muir@gmail.com

Hands-On Dads

monthly dad/child activity group

More and more dads are choosing to either work from home to help share the care of their child or leave the work force completely to be a full time stay-at-home dad. Despite the growing numbers in this “hands-on” dad trend, many play groups, story times, and enrichment classes are almost exclusively populated by moms. If you’ve been resisting participating in a dad’s play group because you envision a circle of dads holding hands talking about their feelings, relax it’s just a  great way to spend part of your day hanging out with men in a similar situation as yourself, enjoying playing with your kids! Dads need support and companionship to be good parents, just like moms do. So whether you’re  providing daytime care for your child one day a week or full time, check here frequently for event updates.

  • Next Outing: to be announced; check back!
  • Bring your child!

Please e-mail us to let us know you’d like to participate so we can add you to our activity notification list. This survey allows us to best meet your needs regarding meeting times and activity choices. Please take a minute to fill it out.

BellyRobics!

Belly dancing – from pregnancy throughout motherhood

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 @ 11:45
  • a series is forming now; contact Amanda about your interest
  • Sling-worn babies welcomed.
  • No special clothing is necessary.

Cost: $10/class

*Just finding about us? Call about jumping in!

*It is advised that mothers not return to class before 6 weeks postpartum. Please consult caregiver before attending.

Tummy to Tummy

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!

  • A free interactive demonstration is being held Oct. 16th @ 11:15
  • Babies encouraged!
  • If you can’t attend the workshop, but need assistance with choosing the right carrier for you, please contact Sara to set up a free personal sizing appointment.

Please RSVP to indicate your interest in attending at cfec@fuse.net . If you didn’t learn of this event until less than 48 hours prior, please call us to confirm that it is still 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, September 25th @ 11:15
  • Free!

Please RSVP to cfec@fuse.net . If you’re learning about this event less than 48 hours prior, please call 591-2332 to confirm that it’s being held.

What I Didn’t Learn in My Breastfeeding Class but Wish I Had!

Science has shown us there are at least 100 documented benefits to breastfeeding, but in a country where only 20% of mothers are still nursing their babies at only 6 months, it can be difficult to find good information about topics such as  is self-weaning, tandem nursing, co-sleeping, and the emotional and nutritional benefits of breastfeeding for a year and longer. For example, did you know that the World Health Organization recommends exclusive breastfeeding – that is, no fluid or food other than breastmilk – for the first four to six months of life? WHO also recommends that children continue to be breastfed at least until they are two years old. Need encouraged and reaffirmed in your desire to breastfeed longer than the social “norm”? Join us!

  • Saturday, September 11 @ 11:30
  • Free!

Please RSVP to indicate your interest in attending.  If you didn’t learn of this event until less than 48 hours prior, please call us to confirm that it is still being held.

Womb With A View

prenatal art classes

Coming Soon!

Feel free to express your interest in participating in prenatal art classes by e-mailing us. We’ll add you to our notification list when we’re ready to launch it.