Bringing Baby Home – FAQs

What is “Bringing Baby Home” and who is it for?

Bringing Baby Home is a workshop for couples who are either planning to start a family, expecting, or parenting little one(s) (infant through age 3). It is a program developed from decades of research, which has indicated that the strongest predictor of a couple’s relational satisfaction after having a baby is the quality of their friendship.

Check out the other FAQs below to learn more about the benefits of participating in this workshop!

We have a great relationship! Why would we come to something like this?

That’s wonderful! This workshop will help you build on the positive foundation you’ve already laid in your relationship as you undergo the meaningful and, at times overwhelming, transitions of early parenthood.

No relationship is perfect, so – even if your relationship is pretty close to perfection – I think you’ll find it informative, helpful, and even fun to do together!

What should I expect the sessions to be like?

You can expect a lot of great content and a lot of fun!

I will contact you via email the week of the event with pertinent information, including the Zoom link to join the sessions IF the event is virtual. (If you are not familiar with using Zoom, let me know beforehand and I’ll try to help!)

Each session will include a mix of teaching, interaction, hands-on exercises, and Q&A. Some exercises will be conducted in individual breakout rooms to ensure privacy.

We intentionally keep these groups small to allow for optimal experience and interaction for each couple. You’ll have opportunities to engage with each other to your comfort level but there’s absolutely no pressure to do so!

Each session will include breaks throughout.

Do we need to attend every session?

Yes! The structure and content require each session as each builds on the previous.

Can our baby attend with us?

Virtual Events:

When this event is offered virtually, we expect you may be in your home with kids! However, if childcare is an option for any or all of the sessions, particularly with older babies and toddlers, you will find it much easier to fully participate.

Some couples have found it helpful to ask a family member or sitter to either keep the child for the duration of the sessions or to be available closeby to take the baby to another area of the home if they get fussy or need additional care.

In-Person Events:

For in-person events, pre-crawling babies are welcome, although again, you may find it easier to focus and participate if you’re able to enlist the help of a sitter! No childcare provided.

Is this therapy?

This workshop is an educational program, designed by Drs. John and Julie Gottman of The Gottman Institute, to improve quality of life for both children and their parents through strengthening the parental relationship.

You will gain many helpful insights and tools to bolster your relationship, but if you feel you need more individual help to address deeper concerns – either individually or as a couple – I’m happy to provide a list of counseling or other resources.

Is this a parenting class?

This is not a “parenting class” per se, because the focus is on your relationship as a couple. However, we will talk about some important parenting topics – like learning to read your baby’s cues and needs, improving the quality of interactions with your child, and more.

How do I know if this is NOT a good fit for us?

This workshop will NOT be appropriate for couples experiencing current domestic violence, physical or sexual abuse in the relationship, known suicidality, and untreated mental illness. Please visit my website’s Resource page for additional guidance.

Can you tell me more about the research?

Definitely! Dr. Gottman’s research has indicated that approximately 2/3 of couples experience a significant drop in relationship quality and have a dramatic increase in conflict and hostility within the first three years following the birth of a baby. So… ready for some better news?

His research shows that couples who have participated in this workshop experience:

A significantly lower rate of postpartum mood disorders and depression
A decrease in relationship hostility
A higher level of relationship satisfaction
A decreased likelihood of divorce
Better parent-baby relationships
Better co-parenting and cooperation during family play.

He also found that the babies of parents who participated in this workshop:

Displayed fewer language delays at one year
Were rated by mothers as showing less distress in response to limitations
Responded more positively to their father’s soothing.

It’s exciting research to indicate the potential value to each member of your family individually and together!