At the heart of birthwork lies a deep respect for the unfolding journey of new life, not just for the baby, but for the family as a whole. As a Montessori postpartum doula, this respect extends to how we nurture, observe, and respond to the needs of the newborn and their caregivers in those tender early weeks. Rooted in Maria Montessori’s belief in the absorbent mind and the prepared environment, postpartum work invites us to see the family as its own microcosm or ecosystem, adjusting to new life. In the first eight weeks, parents and baby enter a state of symbiosis , a delicate period of mutual adjustment where the newborn’s physical and emotional needs are met, and parents grow in confidence as they learn to read and respond to their baby’s cues. During this time, the newborn begins to form points of reference such as familiar voices, scents, faces, and routines that anchor them in a world that is still so new. These touchstones of security help the baby develop trust and a se...
Family meetings are an innovative way to gather purposefully to problem solve. Jane Nelsen, author of positive discipline gives parents support for establishing a family meeting routine! In my home we use family meetings. In my classroom we use them also. Meetings with groups of children can help establish boundaries and eliminate problem behaviors without punishment. Here is Dr. Nelson's agenda for the first meeting: "Week One: The Agenda Introduce the five components of family meetings. Let your family know you will be spending as many weeks as it takes to learn each component. The Agenda Compliments Brainstorming for Solutions A family fun activity such as a game, cooking, or popcorn and a movie. Calendar for family fun event The first week you can spend more time on the Agenda. Let your kids know this is where they can write problems. (Younger children can ask parents to write on the agenda for them.) Ask if anyone can think of any problems they would like help ...