Parents Together: The Summer Series
All classes are free.
This summer, the Parents Together series will be offering three great programs for parents to enjoy with their babies.
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Friday, June 26 Baby and Me
Eileen Baker, M.ED, Baby Signing
Please call the Center's Hotline at 203.458.6699 for the most current schedule information and cancellations.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Education
Parents Together: The Summer Series Fridays, June 26, July 17, August 28
All classes are free.
This summer, the Parents Together series will be offering three great programs for parents to enjoy with their babies. All three classes are open to parents and babies. Please note that the June 26 and July 17 classes welcome all babies and toddlers up to age 3.
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Friday, June 26, 11:00 - 11:45 am Baby and Me
Eileen Baker, M.ED, to talk about Baby Signing Eileen Baker, who holds a Masters Degree in Education of Sign, will be the guest speaker for the June Parents Together Series. Exposing young children, including those with language delays and disabilities, to another language, baby sign, is an effective and positive bridge to recognizing babies' often-challenging non-verbal needs. Learning baby sign encourages toddlers and pre-school children to interact naturally in playful and engaging ways, which has been documented through research to increase vocabulary, encourage communication, develop skills of observation, strengthen and introduce hand/eye coordination, motor skills and eye contact. Although the class meets at the Baby and Me class time, ALL parents and their babies up to age 3 are welcome.
Friday, July 17, 9:45 - 10:15 Victoria Adler, author Victoria Adler will read her newly released book, All of Baby Nose to Toes, a picture book for babies and toddlers. In partnership with RJ Julia Booksellers, Ms. Adler will share this fun and colorful book with parents and babies. Books will be available for purchase following the story and Ms. Adler will be a doing signing.
Friday, August 28, 11:00 - 11:45
Ingrid Staecker Ingrid Staecker, infant massage specialist, will offer a "mini" class in infant massage and talk about the benefits and joys of this interaction between parent and baby.
Support
Connecting with your Teen: A Learning and Support Group for Parents
Abby Lipschutz, Psy.D
This program will reconvene in the Fall; please call if interested in joining
FREE.
Parenting teens can be frustrating and delightful at the same time. The Women and Family Life Center, offers a support group for parents of teens. The group is facilitated by Dr. Abby Lipschutz, who specializes in adolescent counseling and therapy. One of the keys to raising healthy teens is for parents to be proactive - balancing and respecting their child's right and need for privacy while at the same time providing guidance and setting limits. The purpose of the group is to provide an outlet for parents to get together with other parents to share questions, concerns and ideas and to address the many issues they are confronting as their kids progress from adolescents to young adults.
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Divorce/Separation Support Group with Cynthia L. Sarris, LCSW, LLC
This daytime group is designed to help women who are separated, in the process of a divorce or already divorced. The purpose is to provide support and empower women. No matter what stage of divorce, participants will be able to come away with a sense of self and a positive outlook for their future.
Thursdays 12-1 p.m. Living Room, FREE, Pre-registration preferred. Call (203) 458-6699 to register.
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Together Time
Together Time is a family visitation program at the Center that helps families during the difficult times of separation, divorce, and family estrangement. Together Time offers supervised visitation for families in transition in the safe and neutral atmosphere of the Women & Family Life Center. Contact Lori Lodge at (203) 458-6699 for more information. Click here for more information.
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Domestic Violence Support Group
We will be offering a safe and confidential meeting time with a domestic violence counselor from Domestic Violence Services in New Haven. This support group is for those who have been affected by domestic violence including physical and emotional abuse.
Date and Time TBD. Call for details.
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For Men Only with Jim Abrahams
A divorced, widowed, separated men’s group to share support, companionship, and discuss men’s issues.
1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 7-9 p.m., Main House, upstairs, FREE
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Pregnancy & Infant Loss Support Groups in partnership with the Hygeia Foundation
Support Groups are run by parents for parents who have suffered the loss of a baby through miscarriage, stillbirth or neonatal death. All Hygeia Bereavement Support Persons have suffered the loss of a baby. No-pre-registration is required.
Meets the third Thursday of the month, 7:30-8:30 p.m., Living Room (Main House), FREE.
Call WFLC at (203) 458-6699 or the Hygeia Foundation at 800-893-9198 for more information. Visit the Hygeia Foundation online at www.hygeiafoundation.org
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Baby & Toddler Groups with Laura Charbonneau
Join us every Friday in the Carriage House at WFLC
for fun, family programs with your child. Call
(203) 458-6699 to pre-register or register at the door. Fees for Waddlers and Toddlers: $5.00/class or $4.00 with the purchase of a 10-class card for $40.00.
No Baby and Toddler classes on Friday, July 3 and Friday, July 11.
Baby & Me
11 a.m. For parents with infants from birth to around 1
year (or mobile). Come meet other parents and their
babies, discuss new parent-related topics, and pick
up some tips for fostering your child's development
in a casual, laid back setting. Free.
Waddlers
9:30 a.m. - 10:15 a.m. For parents with infants 1 year (or mobile) to 20
months. This is a time for you and your child to meet
friends and share music, movement and stories.
Toddler Time
10:15 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. For parents with children 20 months to 3 years.
This new parent and child group has activities, games,
music and movement that foster early childhood development.
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Association of Women Business Leaders with Kari Henley
Dedicated to women who are enthusiastically expanding their businesses, the focus is on community, networking and exchanging ideas. Donation suggested.
August 26, 8:30-10:30am, Carriage House
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Women Writers Group with Charlotte Smith
Meet with other women interested in writing to share and critique each other’s writing.
Wednesdays, 7:00-9:00 p.m., Living Room, FREE
Wellness
Tai Chi with Suzanne Hanley
A non-contact, non combative way of improving health and energy and reducing stress.
Vinyasa Yoga with Ava Tyler
Yoga is fantastic for improving circulation, flexibility, strength, and balance. It is also excellent for stress management and calming. Carriage House
Yoga Mondays, 12:00 – 1:00pm
Fee:$60 for six week session, begins May 18. No drop-ins. Must register prior to class starting.
Yoga Tuesdays, 6:00 – 7:00pm
Fee: $125 for a 10 class card. Ongoing enrollment. Drop in: $15 adults, $10 teens
Vinyasa Yoga
Saturdays, 8:00-9:30am
Fee: $125 for a 10 class card. Ongoing enrollment. Drop in: $15 adults, $10 teens
Yoga Intensive Class Thursday, 12:00 – 1:30pm
For students with previous yoga experience. Limited to 5 students. Fee: $270 for six week session, begins April 30. No drop-ins. Must register prior to April 30.
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Women Who Walk
Margaret Fikrig, Tuesdays
Mary Richerson, select Saturdays
Free
Join this growing group of women who walk the trails through the crisp days of autumn, cold and snowy days of winter and the lovely (and sometimes rainy days) of spring. The group does not meet in the summer but be sure to check out local land trust websites for summer walks. Join the email list from each leader to get weekly updates.
Will reconvene in the Fall.
YOUTH PROGRAMS
Education
Mix it up Peer Mentoring Program
This group will meet during the summer to plan for next year. It is open to any high school or middle school girls who are interested in putting together programs for both age groups. Any interested high school or middle school girls should contact the WFLC.
Support
Wellness
Yoga for Tweens
Friday, July 10 10:30 -11:15 am
Ava Tyler
Guilford Free Library
WFLC's Yoga instructor, Ava Tyler, will touch on the basics of yoga for children in grades 4 - 6. This is a great opportunity to introduce yoga as a fun way for both boys and girls to stretch and relax. Co-sponsored with the Guilford Free Library
Get Outside!
The WFLC's Get Outside! program encourages families to spend time together outside, experiencing our area's beautiful natural surroundings, enjoying fresh air and sharing some adventures. Hiking is an activity that everyone can participate in all year long, at any age. Always dress appropriately and be sure to bring along some snacks and water.
Summer Walks in Partnership
with Guilford Land Trust
Pinchot Preserve - Part of Westwoods
Tuesday, July 7th, 9:30 am (allow 2 hours)
Ages 6 and older with parents
Leader: Sarah Williams, Guilford Land Trust President
From Guilford, follow Route 146 just into Branford. Just after crossing under the railroad bridge turn right into a parking area (Parking Area #9 on the Westwoods Trails Map). Mostly flat 1-mile loop (or more if desired). Wear sturdy footwear, insect repellant, and bring a snack. For more information about the trails visit: www.guilfordlandtrust.org. Please note: Although registration is not necessary, call WFLC in case of cancellation due to weather or other changes.
Olmstead Outlook - Gardens and Monarchs!
Friday August 14th, 10:00 am (allow one hour)
Birth to age 7 with parents
Leader: Sarah Williams, Guilford Land Trust President
Meet at the corner of Broad and River Streets downtown (easily accessed by stroller) to explore this tiny spot filled with wonders. Enjoy views of salt marshes, ducks, gardens, and watch monarch caterpillars munching milkweed. For more information about the trails visit: www.guilfordlandtrust.org. Please note: Although registration is not necessary, call WFLC in case of cancellation due to weather or other changes.
Discover the Treasures of Guilford in Partnership with The Guilford Fund for Education and the Guilford Education Association
Hidden boxes are placed all over Guilford to be found either by using high-tech geocaching or low-tech letterboxing. What is Geocaching or Letterboxing? They are both simple, fun, family-friendly treasure hunting games. Geocaching uses a hand-held GPS unit to follow clues to find the hidden boxes, or caches. Inside each box, you'll find a logbook to record your visit and some small tradable items. No GPS unit? Letterboxing uses simple clues and navigational skills (sometimes using a compass) to find the hidden treasure boxes. There will be 30 treasure boxes hidden around Guilford.
The WFLC is participating in the event as part of the Get Outside! series. The Treasures event offers lots of opportunities to get into the woods, to visit lots of different historic and secret gems around the area and to have loads of fun. The game continues all summer long. To play, pick up an Adventure Guide at the WFLC or at various locations around town. For more information, contact the GFFE at www.gffe.org.
ArtSpace
WFLC promotes local artisans by showcasing their work in our Carriage Barn. If you are an artist interested in ArtSpace, please contact Pam Kelly at 203-458-6699.
GET OUTSIDE!
Summer Walks in Partnership with Guilford Land Trust
July 7
Pinchot Preserve
August 14
Olmstead Outlook: Gardens and Monarchs!
This Summer
Discover the Treasures of Guilford in Partnership with The Guilford Fund for Education and the Guilford Education Association
Learn more about
WFLC events:
We extend our deepest gratitude to the individuals, businesses and foundations who made contributions to the Women & Family Life Center. Click here for a complete list.
