Join other members of the Anshe Sholom community for a 5-session series designed to empower expecting and those who hope to soon be expecting, new, and not-so-new parents. Each session will be focused on different elements of parenting – beginning immediately following birth and deep into parenthood. Come hear from professionals and fellow parents about experiences and discuss issues relevant to parenting and being a new parent which are too often avoided or ignored. These sessions aim to provide knowledge, perspective, and a space to hear and talk about things that are not covered in other prenatal classes or “what to expect” books.

Please RSVP to shul@asbi.org or to Lital at litalcasper@gmail.com.

Babysitting will be available by registration only for $10 per family. Register for babysitting below.

Session 5 - Sunday, February 12, 11:00 AM
Family Ties - Different Kids, Different Parents, Different Families

At this final session, join Deena Davis, Jo Lang Wolkenfeld, and parents in the community to talk about the effects a new baby can have on older siblings in the family, about how each child requires different parenting, and about different family structures and models.

Jo Lang (Wolkenfeld) is a mother of 2 and grandmother of 4.
She holds a PhD in Clinical Psychology and Certificate in Psychoanalysis and has been working with children, adolescents, adults, couples, and families since 1972. She teaches to psychology, psychiatry, and social work students, graduates, and professionals.

Deena Davis has a Masters in Early Childhood Education from Pacific Oaks College. She currently teaches the Threes and Fours at the Webster location of Lincoln Park Preschool and Kindergarten.

Session 1 – Monday, December 19, 7:00 PM
Berit Milah, Naming Rituals & The Spirituality of Parenthood
Join Rabbi Wolkenfeld to learn about the Jewish ritual elements of having a new baby: learn about how to plan and prepare for rituals such as Brit Milah and baby naming, and discuss the unique spiritual potential of parenthood in Jewish tradition. We will also discuss tensions that arise when we need to adjust our religious priorities from before we were parents and pivot towards the mitzvah of “hinukh,” educating the next generation to a life of mitzvot.
 
Session 2 – Thursday, January 5, 7:00 PM
The Things People Don’t Talk About – But Should
Join Michele Weiss, LMFT, Lital Casper Rosenberg, and other parents to talk about challenges that can come when introducing a new baby to the family. We will discuss common relationship challenges that couples experience with a new little person in the house, the “normal” changes and issues that new (or new again) mothers experience, the importance of self-care, postpartum body image issues, and also how to cope with the range of emotions that women experience during and after giving birth - anxiety, “the baby blues” or postpartum depression, and birth trauma.

Session 3 - Monday, January 16, 8:00 PM
The Bare Truth
What our bodies go through to create a human being is astonishing! However, with the miracle of pregnancy can come a myriad of physical and sexual challenges. Every body is different. Every pregnancy is different. Let’s come together to connect around the joys and challenges that our bodies endure during and after pregnancy. Please join Michele Weiss, LMFT, and Lital Casper Rosenberg for an open and honest discussion about issues related to our pregnant—and not pregnant—bodies. We will explore issues of body image, weight gain and loss, changes in sexual interest, and unexpected physical pain. We will also discuss “the real deal” about breastfeeding which carries so much importance in terms of how we feel as a new or new again mom. For mothers who became mommies through surrogacy or adoption, there are complicated ways that they relate to their bodies that we want to explore. We will also discuss tips and tricks for managing the bare truth about our bodies when a child comes into the world. Michele L. Weiss, LMFT, is a licensed marriage and family therapist. She specializes in treating women and couples dealing with infertility and perinatal challenges in her private practice in Lakeview.

Session 4 - Monday, January 30, 8:00 PM
What to Expect after Expecting – The Balancing Act
There is only one “you”. It can feel overwhelming to focus so much time and energy on your newborn while also somehow fitting in your own needs, the needs of your partner, other children, extended family, friends and community. With so many demands--that are sometimes at odds--how do you balance it all? Join Michele Weiss, LMFT, Lital Casper Rosenberg, and other parents to continue the conversation on the effect a new baby has on your relationship with your co-parent, other members of your family, friends and community, and work/life balance.  We will also discuss how to navigate gender roles and conflicts that can arise in co-parenting.