I've taught classes in lots of different formats over the last twenty years. I've taught in person couples’ classes that were over 8 weeks. I have taught 6 week classes. I have taught 4 week classes. I have even taught a women's class over just a weekend. I have taught specific subject classes as a one day course. And during the pandemic I taught online classes. And I have also taught private classes.
Scheduling classes is always difficult. When you teach a group class. You really want to have at least four couples. Trying to find times for four couples that all match is sometimes difficult. So recently I've made the decision that I'm going to teach private classes.
I used to not like the idea of private classes because it did not create that interaction within the group that spurred a lot of unique conversations. I also think I did not like it because it's a little bit more work for me. I have to devise the curriculum to meet the particular couples specific needs and that means that I have to kind of "go off outline." So it takes a little bit more planning ahead of time and a lot more flexibility while doing so.
But the reason why I decided to go this route is threefold. One is recently I've started being a part of a women's class that is taught in someone's home versus where it used to be taught in a building. I realize that just the location changed the level of intimacy of the actual class. So I think there can be a deeper level of intimacy in a private class in someone's home. Secondly, I think it allows me to guide a couple based on their specific needs, which may offer better preparation than in a group class. And three. It allows me to be flexible with schedules. I can teach in the evening. I can teach midday. I can teach on a weekend. My crazy schedule can still accommodate most needs.
Third, it also enables me to personalize a curriculum for their specific needs. A first time mom needs something different, perhaps than a repeating birth couple. A woman preparing for a vaginal birth after a cesarean has different concerns and fears than another mom. If there are siblings of the new baby that need some guidance and preparation, I can offer that as well. If a couple has done a lot of preparation but feels like she is lacking in a specific area, it allows me to spend time on that particular area.
So I can bring my expertise as a childbirth educator, as a dancing for birth educator, as a spinning babies and rebozo trained educator, as a labor doula, as a parenting and postpartum educator and/or as a lactation educator into the curriculum based on the needs.
I've chosen to charge by the hour because that is a way that it can be customized. My fee will be from when I leave my home to get to their location but will not include my return home once the class ends. This enables me to drive a little bit further to teach than I would if I were teaching in a location for a group class.
This also allows me to teach over multiple times if desired. I may go and teach for a minimum of 2 hours for one couple and the next time I teach, it might be for a 4-hour session. Or it could be a couple wants me to return for several classes and teach a two-hour minimum each time. It is fully customizable.
If a woman has someone besides her partner who will also attend her in labor, as in her mother, her sister or a friend, they could also attend the class at no additional fee.
My current fee is $35 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. And this will include digital handouts to be offered afterwards and of course the ability to contact me with any questions later.
I'm also willing to teach in my location, within my home in west Athens if that need arises.
I do ask if there are children who will not be in the class for their preparation, that you have some kind of plan so that there are no interruptions to meet their needs while i’m teaching.
Comprehensive class, suggested time at least five hours. $175 + drive time there.
Movement class, including rebozo and birth ball usage for easier pregnancy and labor. Suggested time minimum of two and a half hours.$88 plus drive there time.
Happiest Baby on the Block, the 5 S’s to soothing a newborn. Two hours $70 plus drive time.
Postpartum preparation including sibling integration, sleep ideas and getting started breastfeeding. Suggested time minimum of two and a half hours.$88 plus drive there time.
Customized for specific needs.
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