Gentle
Touch® Parent-Child Program
When Does Love Begin?
When is the first spark of love between a
parent and child? Recent research shows that a deep, tender feeling of
affection can begin at various times.
For some, love starts before conception as
the couple examines the role a child can play in their lives as a twosome and
as a family. As these individuals ready themselves physically, mentally,
emotionally, and economically, they prepare a place for their baby in their
hearts and lives.
A growing number of women are sharing about
their awareness of the moment of conception. Maybe some women have always been
this sensitive, or perhaps they are more readily speaking about it now. In
these cases, intuitive knowledge that the baby has arrived comes like Cupid's
Arrow.
Feeling the first flutter of the baby's
movement can bring great delight to a mother's heart. With the advent of
technology, many couples elect a "window on the womb" via ultrasound.
Seeing the baby move tends to confirm the reality of the child's presence and
can start the powerful bonding process.
The capacities of the baby in-utero are
awesome and surprisingly many. When the baby initiates interaction, returns a
pat offered on the pregnant belly, or reacts in response to the mother's
thoughts, feelings and situations, parents can fondly see their baby as an
individual who already participates in their world. This encourages greater
intimacy and communication with their unborn.
Much has been said about the wonder of the
birth experience. The sacred meeting face-to-face and skin-to-skin often
elicits profound feelings of love and bliss.
Closeness for some parents begins as they
care for their newborn. For most parents, this is a time for sharing special
sentiments while developing and nurturing their relationship with their child.
From pre-conception through birth and
infancy, parents and babies are offered many opportunities to open their hearts
to each other. The elements that make positive connection possible are those
involved in any strong human relationship: touch, relaxation, communication,
nurturing, support, and celebration. With the addition of information (about
pregnancy, birth, parenting, and child development), these are the very
elements that comprise the Gentle Touch® Parent-Child Program
for pregnant women, babies and young children, and families.
Gentle Touch® is...Touching is an ancient tradition and communication process. Research
and clinical evidence show that loving, touching, and nurturing contact between
parent and child before and after birth has a positive impact upon the parent,
the child, their relationship, and the child's later development. The elements
of the holistic, medically endorsed Gentle Touch® Parent-Child Program, which is good for all
families, are:
Touch/
Massage- Parents come to appreciate the role that appropriate,
gentle touch can play in family life. Pregnant mothers receive hands-on massage
and learn to self-massage. Parents become proficient in a series of massage
routines along a specially designed "Touch Continuum". This
allows them to go at a comfortable pace and be sensitive to the health,
developmental, and emotional stage of their young child.
Relaxation- Pregnant mothers and new parents increase coping
skills, while infants and children learn to manage their own stress. Parents
use a variety of soothing techniques when the child is having difficulty
self-calming.
Communication- The process
of establishing and building a relationship and a foundation of trust and
intimacy occurs through understanding and sensitively responding to prenatal/infant/child
communication and behaviors.
Nurturing- Parents
learn how to self-nurture, and dance in tune with their child's rhythms by
incorporating enjoyable nurturing activities into their physical and emotional
caregiving.
Support- All
families can benefit from support, individually or in a group, from the time of
conception.
Information- Since every
family is unique, the need for information varies. Many parents appreciate the
latest information regarding pregnancy, parenting, and child development, and
how to access resources.
Celebration- Each family
member can experience personal growth when they view the miracle of new life as
joyous. This is especially so during meaningfully designed/ facilitated
ceremonies for the family in transition.(e.g. Blessingways, Baby Welcoming).
Ó 1993-2004, Gentle Touch Parent-Child Program, LLC
Emma Miller, D.Div., is the creator of and a trainer for the Gentle Touch® Parent-Child Program for pregnant women, infants,
young children, and families. She is also the scriptwriter and co-producer of
the Gentle Touch®
Infant Massage Video. For more information about the video,
caregiver-child services, or training, please e-mail Program@GentleTouchParent-Child.com.
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