The Nesting Space offers programs for new parents from pregnancy to preschool. Moms – and dads! – have a chance to learn parenting tricks of the trade, to take part in a fitness activity or to simply network with other new parents in our community.

Program formats range from informal discussions to guest speakers and are designed to encourage friendships among participants. Discussion topics focus on matters related to the health, education and emotional well-being of parents, their children and relationships.

The Nesting Network^TM

The only Program that offers 3 Outings in 1 - Workout, Learn and Connect

The Nesting Network^TM weekly program starts with a light but invigorating 45 minute yoga fitness segment with Blue Skies Yoga, who specialize in yoga for new moms, babies and kids, and is followed by a half-hour discussion led by Christine Robinson, Owner of The Nesting Space. Topics will vary from week to week and group to group and include such things as "Nutrition for Busy Moms" and "Helping Baby Sleep so You Can Too". We finish off with a half hour of socializing and sharing. 3 outings for the price of 1!

New sessions start soon - 6 week session - $129 (or $119 early Bird for limited time)

Tuesdays - 10:15-12:00 p.m. - January 13th - February 24th (Early bird pricing still in effect)

Location: Blue Skies Yoga studio, 55 Victoria St. (at Duke) Suite G, Kitchener

Next session: March 3rd - April 7th (early bird pricing in effect)

Please CLICK HERE to register for The Nesting Network.

The Happiest Baby on the Block^TM

This class is intended for expectant and new parents and is based on the work of Dr. Harvey Karp, internatonally recognized doctor and author.   Participants will learn:

• The calming reflex and the 5 techniques to calm a fussy baby

• An easy way to help infants sleep a few more hours at night

• The reasons it is virtually impossible to spoil a young baby

Delivered by Christine Robinson, Owner of The Nesting Space, this 2-hour session will change your experience of early parenthood. Learn simple and easy-to-implement techniques for calming a fussy baby. Less crying equals happy baby and happy parent.

Each participant will receive a Parenting Kit that includes your choice of a DVD or VHS of "The Happiest Baby on the Block^TM " and "The Soothing Sounds CD" which retails for over $40.

Stroller parking and a change station are provided at all workshops.

To register, please send us a note through Contact Us or call Christine at 519-208-1508.

"Helping Your Baby Sleep Better So You Can Too"

Relief is in sight. As parents, we know that sleep deprivation is hard on us, but research also tells us that it can  be harmful to children to have prolonged broken sleep patterns.

In this 3 hr. workshop facilitated by Christine Robinson, you will learn how to establish and maintain healthy sleep habits within the first year and discuss how to turn around sleep problems whre they have developed.

Based on a blend of several of the best research sources available today, this workshop could mean the difference between the pain of another long night and the bliss of a full night's sleep.

"Oh no - I'm Going Back to Work Soon" (Time and Location TBA)

There are so many concerns and decisions to make when going back to work. Our values around career often shift, we need to find appropriate care, and then there's all that angst and guilt.

This 3 hour workshop is an open dialogue about the realities of what it means to leave your child in someone else's care for the first time and helps you to manage that change.

We support you in exploring what is right for you and your family so you can embrace it - without the guilt. We offer ways of making the transition easier and appreciating the benefits of going back to work - for both you and your child.

Parenting Coaching

Christine Robinson, owner of The Nesting Space also offers family-specific coaching that can be customized to your individual needs.

With years of coaching experience and a compassionate ear, Christine can offer guidance and "tricks of the trade" for questions like:

• how can I help my baby to sleep through the night?
• how do I find the right discipline method for me and my child?
• how do I manage going back to work?

And once you've got those mastered, Christine can also offer support with things like:

• aligning parenting philosophies between partners
• finding balance in times of transition and chaos
• creating a family vision and making it work

The Nesting Space has a network of skilled coaches that have expertise in sleep issues. One of our most popular services for new parents (for  obvious reasons to those of us who've experienced the sleep deprivation), we offer immediate support in resolving ongoing sleep concerns, or better yet...in nipping them in the bud before a problem develops. Who couldn't use more night-time sleep and more predictable naps? Sleep, though naturally limited in the first weeks to months, is important for both parent and child and can be helped!

Some key things we've learned from research:

• Experts tell us that the two pillars of infant health and wellbeing are nutrition and sleep. The same is true for parents, so the idea is to establish healthy sleep habits for baby so the whole household can be happy and healthy.
  
• One of the greatest myths is that babies will eventually figure it out and sleep through the night when they are ready, when in fact, sleep habits are a learned skill like any other and parents play a big role in helping or hindering this process...often unknowingly.

Some other key things we know from research:

• Sleep habits that are established in the first year have long-standing impacts on sleep habits in adolescence and adulthood - long-range studies tell us that good early sleepers tend to stay good sleepers and vice versa.
  
• There is a significant link between new mother sleep deprivation and post-partum depression - this is not to say that in those first few months, you will not be waking and responding to your infants' needs to feed etc. around the clock...you will. It is when constant wakings are prolonged and when night-time sleep does not begin to consolidate over time, that we see a great increase in issues for moms...and we all know, if Mom isn't happy - noone is!

We offer sleep consultations from 6 weeks onwards. Though a baby is not biologically ready to sleep "through the night" until sometime between 3 and 6 months of age, this is a great time to lay a healthy foundation and to learn the tricks that will help baby set their internal clock and learn critical self-soothing techniques. It will also prevent you from falling into the common parenting traps that can get in the way of healthy sleep.

Many of you ask if our philosophy works with co-sleeping, attachment parenting and or on the other end of the spectrum, if it involves "ferberizing", which is letting them cry it out.

We do not adhere to one specific sleep philosophy but draw on a variety of research and schools of thought. We create a customized plan, using 'moderate' and loving techniques that honour you, your baby and the uniqueness of your family situation and desires. Our recommendations are equally applicable whether your baby is in a family bed, in a bassinet, or in their own crib and room.

No matter what the parenting concern, most issues can be addressed in two to three brief coaching sessions, while others may call for more in-depth involvement. If you are feeling overwhelmed, the best thing to do is seek out support. We will work with you to find the solution that best meets your family's needs.

To find out more, please write us by clicking on "Contact Us" or call Christine directly at 519-208-1508.