What are people saying about the classes?
Reviews
“My wife and I absolutely loved Beech Street's Parenting Preparation Series. As first time parents the courses were super helpful at two levels: as an introduction to a high level approach (RIE method) and with some very tactical blocking and tackling items to help us get through the first few weeks. Couldn't have done it without these classes! (or at least really wouldn't have wanted to) Thanks Courtney!”
— Parenting Preparation Series Participant
“As first time parents, we LOVED the Parenting Preparation Series. It was specific, compassionate, and digestible -- and linked theory to practice. Now with a 4 month old, we often find ourselves thinking about the elements of respectful parenting, and it's served as a great touchstone/guide as our daughter has progressed through these amazing early months - exploring and becoming a little person with a curiosity and personality of her own!”
— Parenting Preparation Series Participant
“I learned how to respect and interact with my baby in ways that I would have overlooked without taking the class. Diaper changes have become one of my favorite things to do with him.”
— Parenting Preparation Series Participant
“Learning about parenting from Courtney has been so eye-opening. Approaching my (first) newborn with deepened intention and respect has not only helped me feel more competent and calm but has helped me feel more bonded with my baby. Acknowledging personhood from birth or earlier and treating my baby with the same respect I would any other human feels like a departure from the parenting I grew up exposed to. It has also helped my husband and I think through our relationship goals with our babe and our partnering goals with one another. She also shared some great tips for maintaining some semblance of calm during *high-energy* diaper changes. I look forward to continuing to learn from Courtney and can't recommend her enough!!”
— Kira, San Francisco, CA (Parenting Preparation Participant)
Learning about babies before you have a baby will enrich your experience with your little one.
“I participated in the Parenting Preparation Series through Beech Street Parenting, and it was a phenomenal, incredibly helpful, educational, experience. Not only did it ease many of my fears and worries about being a new parent, in fact it made me really excited about it and look forward so much more to meeting my baby. I feel like it was the perfect combination of supportive guidance and education, without ever feeling overbearing. I felt very safe with Courtney and the other participants talking about our shared experiences in preparing for parenthood. I learned so much about RIE and it made it much more accessible and attainable. Before this class I had read books, listened to podcasts about RIE and even though I felt like I really believed in what I was learning, I still struggled to know if I could really implement it myself, but this class gave me the confidence that I can. On a practical note, it made me remove SO many things from my registry and made me so much more perceptive on the way other children around me are not necessarily treated with respect. It eased a lot of my fears about parenting overall. I felt that the most eye opening part of the class was the one on Motor Development and Play. I highly recommend this class to all new parents who are exploring the RIE method. Courtney is also just such a knowledgeable teacher of newborn care (professionally and personally) and such a caring, calming presence that I felt at ease listening to her talk every week!! Thank you again Courtney!”
— Divya, first time mom to be
“I've done the infancy thing once before and started this Parenting Preparation Series with feelings of dread about having to go through it all again. Though the course was meant for first time parents, it actually provided me with a new perspective on the infant stage that left me feeling excited and believing I can be less stressed and exhausted this time around. I'm truly looking forward to taking things slow, observing more, doing less, and approaching with more curiosity as we welcome a new life into our growing family next month. Feeling grateful to Beech Street Parenting right now. Thank you!”
- Maia H., Portland, OR, second time mama.
"Courtney's class was excellent. Her passion and knowledge of early childhood caregiving is obvious, and she shares her expertise in a helpful, non-judgmental fashion. My wife and I left the class feeling more confident and excited about the caregiving we'd be doing for our first child. I'll especially carry with me many of the mindsets that seems so simple, but were so powerful when you heard the reasoning behind them, such as being a respectful parent who thinks of their child as a full human immediately, and thinking of caregiving moments as a chance for bonding rather than a chore to speed through. Also, it is such a relief to know that I don't need to "entertain" my child every second, and that there is tremendous value in creating a space for them to direct their own learning as they take in the new world around them."
— Nate D. "Parenting Preparation Series Participant" & expectant first time father
“Courtney’s class really helped us to slow down and enjoy the caretaking tasks in the early days of our daughter’s life and beyond. We find ourselves referencing our class notes frequently as she grows! It was a wonderful experience and has made us much more confident new parents.”
— Zach and Justine, Tacoma, WA, first time parents
Babies truly rock. Sign up to learn why.
**Note from Courtney: I am absolutely inspired and informed by Magda Gerber’s RIE (Resources for Infant Educarers) approach to caregiving which is why you see mention of RIE here. I have completed the RIE Foundations training and am pursuing the next step in professional development through RIE, but please know there are also official RIE branded classes available at: rie.org