Incredible INFANTs

"Parenting is the most important job we will ever have. Parenting Now was an incredible place to meet other parents and develop a support group for all of the ongoing challenges of parenting. We started Parenting Now when our baby was 3 weeks old. She was the youngest in our group. It was the best decision we ever made to join a group. It helped so much those first few difficult months. Being a first time parent is wonderful and yet stressful. Our group really helped each other along the way. Now as most of our group is close to one year we are miles away from where we started—more confident, more educated, more supported. My husband and I owe a lot to Parenting Now. We can't wait for our next session to begin."

- Tasha Lane

"I am the mother of a beautiful three-month-old daughter. Her arrival into our family was eagerly anticipated. We planned and prepared. We received support from our family and friends, our church, our physician, the hospital, and our Lamaze group. This support continued for two or three weeks after her birth. Then, suddenly, we were on our own. We hadn't planned on or prepared for the confusion, frustration, and apprehension that often accompany new parenthood. At times I felt isolated and depressed. My husband seemed to be under a lot of pressure. I could see he was beginning to worry about the baby and me. Gradually our relationship to each other, and to our child, because less than satisfactory. Our little 'bundle of joy' was causing some serious problems….I have a master's degree in special education, and specialized in working with emotionally disturbed children. My husband is a physician in family practice….We thought we knew everything parents could possible need to know about successful parenting. We did not realize how much parents need other parents."

- A Parenting Now parent

"I have learned valuable information that will be/is very useful. I enjoyed and found the infant massage very useful. It was good for both Lindsey and I. I also found the discussions with the group very useful. You can learn a lot from others. I think everyone should take parenting groupes…everyone benefits all around. [My child] has made some very good friends, and so have I! She has learned to interact with children and enjoy herself. I have learned new songs which we enjoy singing together…. I feel that I changed as a result [of] Parenting Now. The experience has made me feel confident that I am a good parent. Parenting has a huge impact on our society. How we raise our children will determine what kind of adults they will become. Our children are our future! We were fortunate to have Paula as a group leader for all sessions. She is a great listener and has such good input and ideas."

- Dawn Gray, parent

"I had a mom in an infant group who had lost her first baby to SIDS. Her second child was five weeks old when she came into the group. She was very concerned about health and safety issues and still blamed herself for the death of her first child. She was afraid to bond with her [new] baby. Slowly this mom became more confident of her ability to parent. She and the group created a safe place to talk about and distinguish between situations that were scary and those that were dangerous. She changed from a depressed and anxious mom to a caring, supportive group member and a much more relaxed and less reactive parent."

- Carol Ann TenEyck, parenting educator

"I had an infant group in which a mom discovered she had breast cancer. She was afraid for her life and for her baby's future. The group became a place where she could still 'just be a new mom' and delight in her baby's growth. We spent some time each week checking in with her about her medical status, we cried with her, we laughed with her, and applauded as her baby crawled for the first time while we were in group one night. I was concerned that her sorrow would overwhelm the group but we addressed it in a contained manner and focused on how wonderful and lucky she was to have had a baby before the cancer since future pregnancy would be a risk. Other mothers offered to become wet nurses, to make meals, provide childcare and give her concrete support. Although the group consisted of hippies and stock brokers, Buddhists and Latter Day Saints, this group continues to meet and, as they told me at [the] last meeting 'to be thankful not so much for what they got from Parenting Now, but by what they learned to give because of Parenting Now."

- Carol Ann TenEyck, parenting educator

"I recently had [an] infant group in where there were almost two separate groups—one older (40 – 50 years old) middle group, very wise group of parents, and the other group was very young—early 20s. The dads in this group formed a very close bond. The older dads really mentored the younger ones about being man enough to be really nurturing, about how harsh the working world can be on young men. The mature guys gave the young 'dudes' the courage to put their families first, to be unabashedly in love with their babies and even to sing all the songs at the end of the group. One night we had a 'dads only' version of 'twinkle, twinkle little star' that made the moms laugh as hard as they cried."

- Carol Ann TenEyck, parent educator

"Participating in Parenting Now increased my confidence in my parenting skills and values. My INFANTs group turned into my best friends and the perfect social group for my child—we are still meeting after 2-1/2 years!"

- Karen Apgar, parent

"Parenting Now helped me define my choices by either agreeing or disagreeing strongly with ideas. I often left with a better idea of how to communicate with my child. Everyone should take a Parenting Now group—it is a wonderful resource. My child has made wonderful friends, as have I, through Parenting Now. I have a great relationship with my spouse—it stayed the same. Parenting defines the next generation—it is the most important job you can do."

- Dawn White, parent

"Children will learn to interact, socialize, play & have fun with other children his age. He had/has so much fun that he'll often ask to come. For me, Parenting Now has helped me by providing: support, know what is normal (the range of normality), feeling more confident in my parenting skills, becoming more confident, and help me become a better parent. Most of all, BT3is fun. I want to come more often, too."

- Jenny Santo, parent

"Each family creates its own philosophy and methods in infant care to reach the same goal…which is raising their babies in a loving and supportive environment. Listening to other first-time parents gave me a better understanding of how I want to be as a parent. We don't all do things the same way, but we all learned a few tricks and helpful hints from each other. Being a first time mother, it was a gift to be able to share my experiences and see other people around the room nodding their heads and smiling in recognition of our similar fears and joys of parenting. Our facilitator was warm and welcoming. She validated everyone's feelings, provided educational references and kept the meetings upbeat and focused…. I feel everyone would benefit from a Parenting Now experience as you can never have too much education or help in raising your precious child…. At our first group everyone seemed to be as tired as we were. As the groupes progressed you could see the changes in our babies and in ourselves as we became more confident…By the end of the group it was noticeable that we were all getting more sleep, felt more relaxed in our roles and were eager to continue as a group even after the Parenting Now structured meetings had ended. It was a great experience and I look forward to the next group as our babies turn one."

- Rebecca Plant, parent

"My daughter Tori and I started attending Parenting Now INFANTs group to meet other parents and children since we [had] just moved to the area. More than just the education, the new friendships are what we enjoy. Parenting Now gives me a chance to relax, too! I'm a full-time student, wife, mother and I help care for my 93-year-old grandmother. Going to group gives me a break from all my responsibilities for a couple hours, and gives Tori a chance to be around other kids instead of just adults. We love it!"

- Sam Marshall-Scales, parent

"Because of this group, I am more able to cope with stress and better able to soothe our baby."

- First 3 Years parent