We offer a Gottman certified course for new parents.

Read more about Gottman therapy here:

https://www.gottman.com/about/john-julie-gottman

Difficult transition for new families affects infants:

Research across countries and cultural divides shows that approx. 2/3 of couples within three years after the birth of a baby, will experience a significant drop in the quality of the relationship and a dramatic increase in conflicts at home.

An increasing number of health centers and private organizations around the world,   helps solve this problem by offering the family preparation program BABY-READY? (Originally "Bringing Baby Home"). In this letter, we would like to tell you more about the program, which is new in Denmark, but has won great respect in many parts of the world, including the United States, Sweden and Norway.

About the program BABY-READY ?

Bringing Baby Home is an educational program for pregnant couples and families with children up to three years. It was designed and created by the internationally recognized relations experts, Drs. John and Julie Gottman, at the Relations Research Institute in Seattle, Washington. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life for babies and children by strengthening the parenting relationship.

Read more about Gottman research in new parents: https://www.gottman.com/about/research/parenting

And

Gottman's research shows that when couples become parents, there is a significant decrease in their satisfaction with the relationship. Further research has shown that conflict in the relationship has a profound negative effect on the couple's infants and toddlers.

The family preparation program, BABY-READY ?, was developed to support families during this challenging transition period. Dr. Gottman's research shows that couples who have participated in the course experience:

• A significantly lower degree of postpartum mood disorders and depression
• A decrease in conflicts, as well as tools for dealing with the conflicts that come.
• A higher level of satisfaction with the relationship
• A lower probability of divorce

The content of the program is based on Dr. Gottman's 40 years of research into relationships and families and is designed to teach parents to:

• Increase friendship in their relationship
• Manage conflicts more efficiently
• Strengthen fathers in their role and involvement as parents.
• strengthen the quality of the older gen-sp æ dbarns interaction.
• strengthen knowledge of their child's psychological and emotional needs
• strengthen cooperation in the new family.

By supporting couples who become parents, the children are helped and strengthened at the same time. By teaching couples how to build a strong emotional foundation in their family in the early stages of a child's life, children grow up in healthier environments. These benefits bring positive changes for the family. Once this foundation is established in a family, research shows that children do better in school, adapt better socially, and are physically and emotionally healthier (Cowan & Cowan, 1995; Gottman, 1999).

Method, structure, format and content.

Presentation
Each module will be presented in a short presentation by the course leaders. Relevant research   and theory is presented in a short, practical and easily accessible way so that everyone can participate.

Exercises
Great emphasis is placed on concrete exercises that train the participating couples in using the tools that are presented. In this way, methods, theory and concepts are made personal and practical for the couples. Emphasis is placed on the exercises being fun and educational as well as useful tools for the new family.

Video segments
Along the way, a number of video segments are displayed which support the course modules and present methods and tools in a visual way. Eg. video clips are displayed   fathers' play and communication with babies, as well as short interviews with both parents and children, as well as other fun features.

Role play
The course leaders make a series of role plays to demonstrate the different exercises in the course.

Other activities
in addition, i.a. task solutions, quizzes, games, reflection and journal writing,

Formats
BABY-READY? is a flexible program that can be adapted to different circumstances and needs. There are 15 modules in the original course (see overview below) which are divided into a total of 12 course hours incl. pauses. As examples, the course could last:

·          2 days, over one weekend.

·          2 days, over two weekends.

·          5 weeks, once a week.

In addition, a shorter version can be supplied where some modules are omitted.

The 15 modules are as follows:

1.         Love in change - about the transition to being a family

2.       Friendship and knowledge - learn to Build "love maps" - and deepen the knowledge of each other and your child - also through

times of change

3.        Preserve the Admiration . Learn to look for, and express, the positive qualities in your partner and your children.

4.       Attention, thank you! -   Learn to "fine-tune" the attention to each other's and your child's emotional needs.

5.        A positive perspective on emotions. Understand and acknowledge emotions in babies and children.

6.        Rituals and routines in the new family. Learn i.a. having a stress-reducing conversation with your partner.

7.        Dealing with anger . For both children and couples. Learn about your and your child's anger and how to deal with it.

8.       Understand the red lights. About solvable and unsolvable problems and being able to recognize and accept the difference.

9.        Conflict and problem solving. Learn the four steps in constructive problem solving.

10.     Where do we come from each in particular? Understanding and respect for similarities and differences in family background.

11.       Get time. Understand the importance of fathers and the challenges of the new family.

12.     Mother-time. Understand mothers' mental and emotional challenges. Understand postpartum depression and what can be done.

13.     Affiliation, how ? About parents' attachment to baby and child. Learn about emotional coaching.

14.     Preserve intimacy and romance in the relationship.

15. A new community. About creating Common values, meaning and traditions in the new family.