In this issue

• Letter from the Director
  
• BBH on Facebook
• A Bit on Bids
• Catherine McCall, CGE
  

Upcoming Events

Dr John and Dr. Julie Gottman speaking; From Betrayal to Trust:Treating Affairs and
 Pornography Addiction              July 24th, Seattle Link to Event!

Vote NOW for BBH everyday in July; Pepsi Refresh Contest

September Certificate Training in Seattle, September 17th-19th. Link to event.

A workshop activity!

Research that examines the transition to parenthood for married couples has identified some of the top issues from this list for both men and women.

For men, the top transition issues tend to include:

• Financially providing for the family

• Lack of sleep and tiredness

• Increased chores and housework

• Intrusive in-laws

• Loss of free time for self and social activities

• Decline in spouse's sexual interest

• Couple disagreements about roles

 For women, the top transition issues tend to include:

• Lack of sleep and tiredness

• Changes in body figure

• Personal doubts about parental competence or skills

• Unpredictable shifts in mood and anxiety

• Dissatisfaction with personal appearance

• Increased chores and housework

• Individual stress about roles and responsibilities

• Change in work situation

 Couples should take the time to discuss the particular issues that concern them and find ways to be supportive of each other in coping with the transition from partners to parents.

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 Welcome to the Summer 2010 Edition of our Bringing Baby Home Connections Newsletter! I hope you are all enjoying the summer, which has just officially begun here in Seattle (I'm happy to say that we're finally getting some real sunshine!!). Even though it is summertime, we have been as busy as ever here at BBH and have several exciting updates for you.

•  We've created a Facebook page for Bringing Baby Home and for CGEs! (see highlights in the box below)
• We're looking for funds to hold BBH workshops with at risk families!
• BBH is in the running to receive funds from the Pepsi Refresh Project, and we need your vote!
  
• BBH is making changes based on your feedback!
• BBH was on the road this Spring!
• BBH is going back on the road this fall!

 As always, please stay in touch with BBH via our newly  revised website, www.bbhonline.org. Also, if you have ideas for articles that you'd be interested in seeing in our newsletter, or if you have stories of your own that you'd like to share, please let us know! We may feature your topic or story in one of our upcoming newsletters. Thanks very much for your continued support of the Relationship Research Institute's Bringing Baby Home Program. Have a wonderful summer!

Best regards,

Renay Bradley and the BBH Team

  Continue reading this article by clicking HERE!

A Bit on 'Bids"

-Helen Nolan, CGE

One of the most interesting experiences I have had as a Certified Gottman Educator is outside the workshops. “Bids” is a universal concept for improving interactions. During the monthly Chamber of Commerce networking meetings that I attend, I relate how “bids” can be used to improve interactions not only between couples, but also between supervisors and employees and between customers and service providers. The common response of participants, regardless of their parental status is: “What a great tool!”

Catherine McCall, CGE from the very first Cohort, Talks about her experience with Bringing Baby Home

We know you like to hear from other CGEs and their motivation for training to be a Certified Gottman Educator so we are highlighting Catherine McCall in this newsletter!

By Catherine McCall

I’m a grad of the first CGE training.  A convergence of personal and professional experiences fueled my eagerness to invest in the program. I’d been a marriage and family therapist for many years and had grown weary of interviewing couples on the verge of divorce 5-10 years after their children were born.  I was also deeply disturbed by the plague of father absence from the day-to-day routine tasks of childrearing in our culture.  At the same time, the older two of my four daughters were pregnant and having babies. In preparation, they and their husbands attended various courses at hospitals, and it became clear to me that though these classes were excellent, none of them attended to how having a baby will impact the marriage.

 continue reading by clicking HERE!