Essential Courses For Caregivers

LOREN STOW looks at four essential courses for new parents and caregivers in the business of raising children.

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There is a romantic notion that parents are born when their babies are born and that they’ll ‘just know’ what to do and when. This couldn’t be further from the truth and looking back just a generation or two reveals the importance of a mother being coached by another elder woman, often her own mother or mother-in-law, her grandmother or an aunt. This process of becoming a mother lasted for months, and in the African culture it was referred to as the confinement period. Whatever the culture or time allotment, the point was that a new mother was eased into her role as primary caregiver with 24/7 support over an extended period.

For reasons ranging from the disintegration of the extended family to the education and empowerment of women in terms of careers and independence, this is not always an option today, and mothers are not always the primary caregivers. However, assistance and learning along the way can never go amiss when it comes to welcoming a new life – both your baby’s and yours. Many courses can and should be done before your baby arrives so that you, your partner and any other important caregivers are fully prepared.

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ANTENATAL CLASSES