NEW AND NEARLY TWO
Our Desired Outcome
: Parents have an opportunity to connect with one another discussing the joys, myths, and challenges of parenting.
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SESSION ONE
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The Joys of Parenting: What, Me a New Parent?
Today’s Session
: This session gives parents opportunities to voice their feelings around the expectant parent days, first feelings of parenting the newborn and feelings about where they are in parenting today. Parents focus on their child’s uniqueness and ways to connect with their new or nearly new child.
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Respond to the following questions.
What feelings did you have when you
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| Learned you were pregnant?
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| Saw your new baby(ies) for the first time?
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| Brought your baby(ies) home?
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What feelings do you have about parenting today?
QUESTION: What topics, issues, and challenges of parenting would like to discuss?
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Parenting Myths
| Myth # 1.
| Parenting is complicated - you’ll need at least a degree in psychology to succeed (or at least you’d better read lots of books). |
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| Myth # 2.
| It’s actually all very simple - just love your child and all will be well. |
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| Myth # 3.
| Parenting is a no-brainer task - anyone can do it. |
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| Myth # 4.
| It’s not the quantity but the quality of time that counts. |
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| Myth # 5.
| You’re the parent now, so you should know all the answers. |
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| Myth # 6.
| This feels like forever - even if you do survive, you’ll never be the same again. |
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| Myth # 7.
| You should give up your whole life for your children - if you don’t find fulfillment in that, there’s something wrong with you. |
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Five Foundational Truths about Parenting
Truth # 1. Parenting is hard work - expect to be tired a lot.
| Truth # 2.
| Parenting demands both head and heart - a bit of both Albert Einstein and Mother Teresa. |
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Truth # 3. Parenting is the ultimate test of your perseverance - hang in there!
Truth # 4. Parenting is impossible solo - you must call on God’s help!
Truth # 5. Parenting yields great joy and rewards - it is worth the work!
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Jesus our model
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WHO ARE THE IMPORTANT PERSONS
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IN YOUR CHILD’S LIFE?
Significant Persons in Your Child’s Life
Identify the persons most significant to your child (i.e. grandparents, mom, dad, childcare teacher).
Print the name of each significant person in your child’s life on one of the small circles.
On a large circle, place a picture of your child or print your child’s name. Place the large circle in the middle of an 8 ½ by 11 sheet of paper. Position the smaller circles around the large circle (your child) according to the significance of that person to your child. The closer the person’s significance to your child the closer their circle should be placed to your child’s circles.
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Dreams! Dream! Dreams!
List the dreams you have for your child.
What dreams might each significant person have for your child?
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Your Child is Unique
List five words that describe your child.
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Connecting with Your Child
Special ways I connect with my child
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This coming week notice the individual unique ways you connect with your child and he connects with you. Thank God for the uniqueness of your baby and the special connections you have with him or her.
Prepared by Sheri Babb, 4-07
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