Catholic Charities staff has been trained and certified to facilitate the Nurturing Parenting Programs®, which are published by Family Development Resources, Inc. (FDR) and has been promoting non-violent parenting practices since 1983. The author of the Nurturing Parenting Programs® and President of Family Development Resources, Inc. is Stephen J. Bavolek, Ph.D.

Catholic Charities is currently offering the Prenatal Program®, a nine-session, group-based program (each session 2 1/2 hours). Parents learn ways to bond with their baby by examining the adjustments to being pregnant, discussing the physical and emotional changes occurring, encouraging cooperative parenting, learning ways to nurture oneself, and preparing for parenthood.  Parents also examine their parenting attitudes, learn non-hitting ways of discipline, are introduced to infant massage, and develop their empathic awareness of their needs and their infant’s needs.

Nurturing is a productive way to have a happy and healthy family. To nurture is to:

• Promote the growth and development of all one’s positive traits, qualities, and characteristics.
• Respect and care for yourself, for others, and for your environment.
• View the world and all the people, animals, and things in it as having value and worth.
• Believe with all of one’s heart in the inherent goodness of life.

For additional information about the program, dates and times of the classes, please call 719.866.6535.

Child Birth Education is offered to expectant parents in their third trimester.   The anticipation of the birth of a new baby can be both an exciting and anxious time.  Our instructor is a registered nurse and will help relieve some of the apprehension by providing information on relaxation techniques for labor and tips for delivery.  This 3 hour session also looks at the biological and emotional aspects of child birth.

Infant Massage is for parents looking for additional tools to bond with their babies. “Loving Touch” classes are held an hour per week for four weeks by a certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI). Interested parents may register by calling 719.866.6535.