Workshop information
Bringing Baby Home Please contact Dr. Dulcey-Wang for workshop information . “The greatest gift you can give your child is a strong relationship between you and your partner."
- Dr. John Gottman This statement just feels true on an intuitive level, doesn’t it? We are all seeking a strong relationship with our partner, so of course we would want to give that to our child as part of growing our family. So why - WHY - do we spend all of our pre-baby time researching carseats and breastpumps and nursery designs and childcare options and baby-proofing our houses, without focusing much attention at all on how to baby-proof our partnerships?
If this describes you, please know that you are not alone. The same story is true for most of us. Which helps explain why 67% of marriages experience a significant decline in relationship satisfaction within the first three years after the birth of a child. Wouldn’t it be nice to know how that other 33% of people weather the transition to parenthood so well? That’s where the Bringing Baby Home workshop comes in. Based on Dr. John Gottman’s thirty years of relationship research, we know that the quality of a couple’s emotional connection becomes the basis for their baby’s emotional, social, and cognitive development. We want to help you learn how to create and nurture a positive, loving, close connection with your partner so that your child will grow up with a family foundation that is rock solid. In this workshop you will learn how to:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a class for expectant parents only? This class is for any new or expectant parents (not just first-time parents). If you are expecting a child or have a child age 0-3, this workshop is for you. Babies in arms (generally up to 6-7 months) are welcome to attend with you. There will be private areas for nursing mothers and parents who would like to feed their babies in a quiet location. How much does the class cost? The cost per couple is $350. This includes continental breakfast, a Bringing Baby Home workbook, and additional resources that you get to take home with you. Isn't $350 a lot of money? The Bringing Baby Home Workshop, while it is an investment, is ultimately cost effective. Unfortunately, most insurance companies do not cover couples therapy or preventative services to help you maintain the strength of your relationship. Most "out of pocket" services are between 100 -150 dollars per hour ($1000 - $1500 for 10 sessions). When you attend the BBH workshop, you are receiving the expertise of two psychologists, over the course of 12 hours. You also have the benefit of receiving all the information and strategies that would likely be covered in months of couples therapy over the course of a weekend- which means that you can immediately start using the skills to strengthen your relationship as soon as you leave the workshop. How is the class structured? The class runs 6 hours/day for 2 days, with a one hour lunch break on your own. The class combines lecture, mulit-media segments, and interactive exercises - so you will get to interact with one another in class and begin implementing the strategies right away. If my partner cannot attend, can I come on my own? Because the class includes many exercises to practice as a couple, both partners need to attend together. What will specifically be covered in the workshop? Day one will cover how to move through time together, the art of building love maps, the importance of sharing fondness and admiration, the concept of turning towards and building an emotional bank account, maintaining the positive perspective, ritualizing the daily stress-reducing conversation, and the topics of flooding, self-soothing, and taking a break. Day two will cover how to recognize the four warning signs of relationship meltdown, practice the four steps of constructive problem solving, recognize the importance of fathers, understand baby blues, postpartum mood disorders and other mental health issues, how to connect with your children, preserve intimacy and romance in your relationship, and create shared meaning, values and rituals of connection. Who will be facilitating this workshop? This session of Bringing Baby Home will be facilitated by Dr. Kristina Dulcey-Wang and Dr. Meridee Wilson, both of whom are certified Gottman educators. Kristina has a practice in Lodi specializing in relationships, child and family therapy, perinatal mood disorders, and the treatment of anxiety disorders including Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Meridee practices in Eden Prairie, MN and specializes in relationships, couples therapy, parenting, type A personalities, and being a therapist for therapists. As couples therapists, both Dr. Dulcey-Wang and Dr. Wilson are passionate about helping partners prevent relationship decline and strengthen their families. Can I contact the facilitators prior to registering for the workshop? Absolutely, if you have any additional questions you can contact Dr. Dulcey-Wang at 209-286-6442 or by e-mail at dr.dulceywang@gmail.com. Please include in your message that your are interested in our upcoming workshop. We will do our best to respond within one business day. |