Testimonials:

“We really enjoyed the class and left feeling prepared for what to expect after our baby was born. We learned techniques to get through some of the ups and downs!”
Will Aldred- new father of a 3 month old

“Although you can never be 100% prepared for the birth of a new baby, this wonderful class will get you as close to ready as can be! It was a great bonding experience, we grew stronger as a couple and are using the new tools and techniques we were taught. I will recommend "Bringing Baby Home" to every couple I know expecting a baby!”
Keely Aldred- new mother of a 3 month old

"We were overwhelmed with the transition to parenthood. BBH enabled us to put things in perspective. Since the workshop we have focused on strengthening our relationship and spending time together with our child. Our family life has become so much easier and more enjoyable. This course is essential and I strongly recommend it to all new parents."
A Father attendee

"The workshop made me realize that the most important thing we could do for our baby was to take care of our relationship. Making time to communicate and to do things together has to go to the very top of our “to do” list. When things get hard, I remember this."
A Mother attendee

Bringing Baby Home

What is it?

Bringing Baby Home is a research-based, research-proven 12-hr. workshop for pregnant couples and parents of infants and toddlers. This workshop will help prepare you for the most important and rewarding job you will ever have, raising a child.

What will we learn?

In a relaxed and supportive environment you will learn how to:

1. Stay connected with your partner
2. Strengthen your friendship, intimacy and conflict regulation skills
3. Keep both parents involved
4. Deal with conflict successfully

The content of the program has evolved from psychologist Dr. John Gottman, his 30 years of marriage and family research, and the workshop teaches couples how to:

1. Avoid relationship meltdown and increase friendship
2. Deal effectively with conflict while dealing with stresses when baby arrives
3. Keep dads involved in infant care
4. Co-parent effectively and improve the quality of parent-infant interaction
5. Better understand and meet the psychological needs of a child

What is the format?

Each 12-hr. workshop usually is offered on two consecutive Saturdays from 9am-4pm with a one-hour lunch break at noon and is limited to 12 couples. The content is presented in lecture, films and exercises for each couple. Workshops may also be given on a weekly basis for 6 weeks, in church Sunday School classes, or in my office for smaller groups of couples.

How much does it cost to attend?

Each 12-hr workshop is $200.00 per couple. This fee includes workshop handbooks for each person and exercise cards for each couple. This way each couple returns home with material in hand so that they can review material as their needs dictate.  Gift certificates are available for those who wish to give the workshop experience to a couple as a gift.

When and where are these workshops offered?

Workshops are offered in various locations. Current scheduled sessions are shown on the Workshop page of this website; or call Cathy McCall at 770-261-1783 for the current schedule. Couples are encouraged to register for this course in their second or third trimester of pregnancy or during the first year after their baby arrives

Who is Dr. John Gottman?

John Gottman, Ph.D., is the Executive Director of the Relationship Research Institute, a nonprofit research institute dedicated to marriage, family, and child developmental research. He is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Washington in Seattle and is one of the leading research scientists in the world of marriage, relationships and family.

Dr. Gottman has authored, coauthored or edited over 30 books, including Why Marriages Succeed or Fail, The Heart of Parenting: Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child, and The Seven Principles for Making Marriage Work. He has appeared on radio and TV programs such as 20/20, Dateline NBC, Good Morning America and NPRs Fresh Air.

Dr. Gottman and his wife, Dr. Julie Schwarz Gottman, are the founding co-directors of The Gottman Institute in Seattle, Washington and developed the Bringing Baby Home program together. Their research showed that couples who take this workshop experience:

• a significantly lower rate of postpartum depression
• a decrease in relationship hostility
• a higher level of relationship satisfaction

For more information on the Gottmans, The Relationship Research Institute, the Bringing Baby Home national program and related research, please go to the Bringing Baby Home Related Material page on this site and you will find websites listed in the left sidebar.