Preparing for Baby: Pre-Planning Before Parenthood

Guest facilitator: Rae Jardine (she/they), MA, RSSW, CC-PMH

Workshop description:

The arrival of a baby brings excitement, change and plenty of questions. While there is no way to prepare for everything, thinking ahead can help you feel more confident and supported as you enter this next chapter. This workshop focuses on the practical, emotional and relational preparation that can make the transition to parenthood feel more manageable.

We will cover:

• Getting ready: What to think about before baby arrives, from practical preparations to setting realistic expectations
• Your support system: Identifying who can help, building your village and making a plan for accepting support
• Life after baby: Preparing for changes to sleep, routines, relationships, work and everyday life
• The mental load: Talking about responsibilities, dividing tasks and setting expectations before they become sources of stress
• Emotional preparation: Understanding the range of emotions that can come with becoming a parent
• Partner connection: Strengthening communication and preparing for how your relationship may change during the transition
• The first few weeks and months: Creating a realistic postpartum plan that prioritizes recovery, connection and getting through the early days together

Register: bit.ly/2SLGBTQFamily