Parenting Class/Book Group

[Mallory]

lotusdebi and I are thinking about getting a parenting class together.

Somewhere in the Annapolis/Pasadena area. If we had a lot of interest somewhere not too far, I would be willing to drive.

The classes we have looked are
"How to talk so kids will listen and listen so kids will talk"
And "Parent Effectiveness Training"

Both have video/audio classes you can buy, with workbooks discussion ideas, ect.

If we did one of these classes they would probably be at least $30 and possibly quite a bit more (depending on how many people would come mostly).

A cheaper idea is just a book discussion, cause then everyone would just have to pay for thier book.

Anyone interested? Any thoughts about what would work for you--Childcare? Evenings? How much is affordable?

[Mallory]

Here are the websites-

Nonviolent Communication is another choice.

NVC (http://www.cnvc.org/main.htm)
mothering article (http://www.mothering.com/15-0-0/html/15-2-0/compassion.shtml)

How to talk...

Faber... (http://fabermazlish.com/index.htm)

PET

PET (http://www.thomasgordon.com/family.asp)

[Moon]

I just finished "Giving the Love that Heals" and liked it.

I'd be interested IF it was on weekends and IF it was closer to DC than Anapolis :)

I am still living out in the mountains during the week :)

[mommo]

A book/discussion group sounds like a nice idea. I found the book "How to talk so your kids will listen, and listen so your kids will talk" at our local library and loved it. I live a bit far from Annapolis. Maybe we could meet in the middle. If not, I'd be willing to drive. :wave


Mommo

[glad2bhome]

I'm interested! I'm between Annapolis and D.C. so either is ok with me. I've recently read a couple of books I have wanted to start a discussion group about, too, so this is right up my alley. Keep me posted.:)

~Melissa

[hubris]

I like the book discussion group idea, and I'd be willing to drive to Anapolis or thereabouts (I'm in Columbia). Should we set a date and give a reading assignment?

[Mallory]

Well it sounds like just a book discussion.
Lotusdebi and I are pretty busy this month- I have inlaws visiting and then finals, she is going on vacation I believe.

So lets plan on getting together the last week of August/ first of Sept for a meeting.

Until then lets keep talking here.

Book Ideas
I think it sounds like How to Talk has the most votes.
I haven't read Giving the Love, but I have read Getting the Love (his book for couples).
Has anyone read both it and How to Talk and can tell us the difference,or which they would prefer?

Meeting Times
We have had one vote for the weekends.
I too would prefer evenings or weekends, so dh can watch the kids (babies and kids are welcome, I just want to be able to spend the time talking to adults, not playing cars:wink). Maybe we could also have a morning playgroup, though.
Weekly or every other week? I don't think we want them any farther apart then that.

Meeting Place
I don't know:p My house would be easy for me (Annapolis). But is seems like towards Columbia would be better- somewhere between Baltimore and DC. I don't know where we would meet someone else would probably have to make the arragements if we decided that.

:thumb

[lotusdebi]

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[glad2bhome]

We're on vacation that week (Aug. 31-Sept. 7, I think).:( I'd prefer a moms-only time but am open to a playgroup morning.

~Melissa

[FLUTTERBY]

I am very interested, though I would be coming from eastern shore and would prefer not to drive too far past Annapolis. If the class idea sounds good to some, maybe involving the Annapolis area LaLeche League group would be helpful, then we could do a small fundraiser tocover the cost of class materials. I know a good easy one we could do! As far as book discussions go, I would love to discuss " How to talk so...." And if at all possible I would like to be involved in a playgroup. That said, Labor Day weekend we are going out of town, and I am participating in World Walk Easton, the following Saturday, but that Sunday is free. I would love to get together with you guys. Let's keep working on this!

[hubris]

I'll read whatever the group wants to discuss, and meeting in Annapolis is no problem for me. I would prefer a daytime playgroup because my time with DH is so limited already, I'd hate to take an evening away. The end of August is fine with me.

[beachrock]

Book discussions sounds really good, a nice antidote to puzzles etc. Hopefully I"ll find to time to actually read the book before end of August.

Morning or evening OK, dh is starting law school & won't be home anyway....:rolleyes:

Annapolis is OK, where's Columbia?? Doesn't matter, I'll come anyway! I Can't wait to meet some people here (just moved to DC)

[Mallory]

Okay now that finals are over, lets get this going!

Books
We are going to start off with How to Talk So Children Listen...., I was thinking we would do one or two chapters a week. I believe it has 7 chapters, so that would be a months worth of meetings.

Meeting Times
lotusdebi and I are both really free for any weekend time, so if anyone has a real prefrence for one time over another speak up.
Do you want to have an evening potluck, or afternoon and we'll take turns bringing a snack? It looks like the first meeting is going to be Sept. 7th.

Meeting Place
As of this time we are meeting at my house in Annapolis. Again if anyone really has a problem with that and has a place for us to meet we are pretty flexible.

Playgroup
I think we are also all interested in a morning play group at a regularly scheduled time. I've got to go now but lets talk about that too!

[beachrock]

Sundays are good, afternoon /snack would be better than evening/potluck for me, but either is ok.

I'm also very interested in a weekday morning playgroup that perhaps we could take turns hosting?

Looking forward to it.

[glad2bhome]

Where do you live, Deirdre? We seem to still be in the process of getting "a day" for playgroup.

~Melissa

[beachrock]

We live in DC, in the Capitol Hill area. But have carseat, will travel!

I just really would like to connect with some like-minded moms here.

[glad2bhome]

Deirdre, we'd LOVE to have you! I just thought of an AP group in Northern Virginia that you might be interested in. I'll see if I can find the info for you. Basically, just look up Attachment Parenting International (do a search) and look for a chapter in N. Va. We'll keep you posted on this group, though!

~Melissa

[Mama Bee]

Hi everyone! I'm new to the group, new to the thread and new to the area. My family moved to DC in July in order for my husband to attend law school. I am a friend of Deirdre's, btw and would like to attend the book group if that's okay with everyone. I've ordered the book hoping it gets here in time for me to actually read it before the first meeting! Hope to see you soon! ~ Brook :D

[glad2bhome]

Hi, Brook! Welcome! I believe we've decided on Sept. 13th , in the afternoon, as a book club date. Mallory, am I right? Guess we'll have to suggest a location, too. I think Mallory suggested we only discuss a chapter or two per meeting, so don't worry about reading the whole thing yet. I'm excited! It's so fun to meet other like-minded moms in the area.

~Melissa

[glad2bhome]

Oops, I forgot we decided on Sept. 7th and that I had suggested to Mallory that we meet on the 13th, instead. Would that work for anyone? If I'm the only one, I guess I'll catch up with y'all at the next meeting. And yes, we are meeting up at Mallory's house. (smack head--can't get the icon to display).

~Melissa

[Quirky]

Just de-lurking to say that there's a meeting of the API group this Friday the 22nd in Falls Church at 10:15 am, subject toddler nutrition. I'll be going for the first time, but I've heard it's a good group!

http://www.attachmentparenting.org/group/webva.shtml

I'd love to be in a book group/play group, but ds is back in another "carseat is evil" phase so I have to stick pretty close to home (Bethesda) or he's miserable. :(

[glad2bhome]

Hope the phase is short-lived!:D Thanks for putting up the link.

~Melissa

[beachrock]

Thanks for the API info, Melissa, I plan to attend that meeting also.

Re the book group, Sept 7th is great for me, the sooner the better! But I guess I'll have to wait til the 13th to meet you, Melissa :wink

I guess we'll need a pm from Mallory with directions, assuming that's where we're still going to meet. Brook & I will be carpooling from DC. Do we have a time yet? I'm wide open.

I'm so excited!

:bgbounce

[lotusdebi]

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[Mallory]

Here's the info!

Book Group

How to Talk So Kids Will Listen and Listen So Kids Will Talk

Starts September 14 and will be every Sunday afternoon until we finish the book.

From 2:00 til 4:00

Read Chapters 1 and 2 for the first meeting, we'll see how far we get.

Meet at my house in Annapolis, pm me for directions and phone number (and tell me how many are coming).

Please bring a notebook and any questions!

Thanks,

edited to change date:p

[Moon]

ok, so, I'm moving to Montgomery Co full time. So...........looks lke I may be able to join you.

Whooohoooo

:banana :balloons :banana :balloons :banana :balloons :banana :balloons :banana

[Mallory]

Okay so I can't read a calendar! I am planning on Sunday afternoons- so th first meeting will be on Sunday September 14th from 2-4.

The day and time is really flexible- if anyone can not do this just say so!

[Clarity]

I'm interested too! Hope to see you then.

[Mallory]

Me again with a couple more thoughts!

If you don't have the book yet and are going to order it online- use the Powell's link from mothering.com so that they get a small percentage! I am not exactly sure how you do this I just go to the main page and click around until I find it.

Does someone else want some kind of job?
I think that glad2bhome will help some getting the playgroup going, but I am sure we can find some thing else for you to do.:p

Please pm me so I can get a list of people coming and if you just want to be on the list to get any pm's about this.

Melissa, I tried to pm you (about the playgroup) but your box is full

[hubris]

I think Griff and I can make it on the 14th. Could you PM me with directions? Thanks!

I'll have to go find a copy of the book soon and get crackin'. I'm looking forward to seeing some of you again and meeting the rest! :thumb

[Mallory]

I have sent directions to
funshine
DeirdreAlison
glad2bhome
IlaBrook

Clarity your pm box is full, but I believe you sent me your e-mail too? I did send instructions both pm and e-mail if I had it.

See you next week!

[hubris]

Thanks for the directions! Griffin and I will be coming on Sunday. My husband wants to come, but he's on call and needs to be closer to the hospital in case he has to run in. I'll just have to take notes!

I'm working on chapter 2 - hopefully I'll get through it by Sunday! Who knew it would ever take me so long to read a few pages...

:thumb

[Mallory]

How is everyone? Are you flooded? Did you lose electricity?

Is anyone planning on coming tomorrow?

It has been a long week and I haven't done the reading. I would like to see you all but if it was at anyone elses house I probably wouldn't make it.

I guess I am saying I would probably just cancel, what is everyone else thinking? I don't think I have the list with everyone's numbers, so I will plan on someone showing up since it is such short notice.


Hope you see this!

[lotusdebi]

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[Mama Bee]

Deirdre and I were planning on coming but neither one of us have finished the reading so if you guys want to hold off until next week, I completely understand and will pass the message on to Deirdre. Just post with the final verdict and we will follow suit. Glad to hear from some of you guys. I worried about those of you in MD. It was pretty calm in our neighborhood. We had electricity and no trees down. I think we were pretty lucky. Take care, Brook

[lotusdebi]

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[Mama Bee]

Okay, you guys. Hope everyone gets back to normal soon. I'll pass the word to Deirdre. Take care. Brook

[glad2bhome]

Hi, everyone! Everybody have power, now? I assume we're still meeting at Mallory's this Sunday and was wondering if anyone would mind if I brought my girls. My dh is going to be out of town and I'd still like to attend. I will TOTALLY understand if having a 2 and 4 year old there will bother someone.

~Melissa

[Mallory]

Well my 2 and 4 year olds will probably be around! And I am sure they would be glad to see your kids.

I think that those of us who don't want our kids there don't mind if someone else's are, we just like being able to talk to adults not play cars. (Of course maybe that means we want someone else to be able to talk to us!)

Hope you can all make it Sunday!

[hubris]

Good to see that we're on for Sunday! I was supposed to bring snack last week - am I now rotated to the back of the line, or should I plan to bring something?

Oh, and I'll be bringing Griffin again - he had fun, and I had fun seeing him have fun! He has a new skill to show off, too - I'll keep you in suspense until then!

[lotusdebi]

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[Noelia430]

Jess, if you want to bring the snack this Sun and I'll bring next Sun that's ok with me:) Just let me know. I wanna know what new thing Griffin is doing!!

[beachrock]

Regarding the presence of kiddos at our meetings, since I will basically never have the option of leaving Noah home, I for one am always glad to see other children there:)

See you all tomorrow!

[Noelia430]

Hey ladies. DD woke up with a cold yesterday morning and this morning ds and I woke up with one. No fun:( Sorry that I can't make it. I was supposed to bring the snack today. Let me know if you want me to bring it next week.

[lotusdebi]

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[Mama Bee]

Hey guys! DH decided Sundays are going to be his day-off from Law School. I'm guessing he intends for me to be available for his day off. :D It doesn't look like we'll be there either... at least not this week. Have fun! Brook & Andrick

[hubris]

Aack! I won't be able to make it today and can't find Mallory's number, and Debi isn't answering hers because she is probably gone already. Sorry to go MIA on you guys...let me know what happens, ok?

Who's going to the CD party on Tuesday?

[glad2bhome]

I'll be there, just to hang. See you there!

~Melissa

[Mallory]

I think we are done with How To Talk. So I wasn't planning on having a meeting this week. If everyone wants to get together for one last time that would be fine, but not many people have come the last two weeks.

I also am having a real hard time with my husband, and I am probably going back to Kansas for Nov. I am still excited about a halloween party, but it just seems so overwhelming. Is anyone else excited about it? Want to help me with planning? I can't even seem to set a time, I am so unsure of my self.

[lotusdebi]

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