Even the strongest relationships are strained during the transition to parenthood. Lack of sleep, never-ending housework and new fiscal concerns can lead to profound stress and a decline in marital satisfaction — all of which affect baby’s care. Not surprisingly, 67% of new parents experience conflict, disappointment and hurt feelings.

Our research-based Bringing Baby Home workshops prepare couples for life with baby and helps them be the best parenting team possible. In a relaxed and supportive environment, parents learn to strengthen their relationship and foster baby’s development during this challenging time. They build on what Dr. Gottman and colleagues found is the best predictor of marital adjustment after baby arrives: the quality of friendship in the marriage. Learn how to teach pregnant and parenting couples the skills needed to encourage healthy, supportive family relationships.

Training Description

This newly designed, research-based training equips participants to independently teach pregnant and parenting couples to successfully prepare for the transition to parenthood.

The training is a high quality program that combines lecture, multi-media presentations, interactive exercises, and discussion. Dedicated trainers facilitate two days of research-based training, teaching participants how to use the materials, content, tools, and exercises. You will be equipped to teach the Bringing Baby Home workshop to parents immediately following the training.

What will I learn in the Bringing Baby Home Educator Training?

On day one, the Bringing Baby Home Master Trainers will teach you:

  • The value and importance of the Bringing Baby Home Program
  • How couples can move through time together
  • The art of building love maps
  • The importance of sharing fondness and admiration
  • The concept of turning towards and building an emotional bank account
  • How to maintain the positive perspective
  • How to ritualize the daily stress-reducing conversation
  • The topic of flooding, self-soothing, and taking breaks

On day two, the Bringing Baby Home Master Trainers will teach you how to:

  • Recognize the four warning signs of relationship meltdown
  • Practice the four steps of constructive problem solving
  • Recognize the importance of fathers, understand baby blues, postpartum mood disorders and other mental health issues
  • Show parents how to connect with their children
  • Preserve intimacy and romance in your relationship
  • Create shared meaning, values, and rituals of connection

To see a detailed workshop outline, click here.

Who is this training for?

Whether you have years of experience as a clinically trained therapist or a nurse, this training will give you tools to facilitate a Bringing Baby Home New Parents Workshop for couples in your community.

  • Childbirth educators and parent coaches
  • Nurses
  • Social workers
  • Child and Family Therapists
  • Birth and postpartum doulas
  • Midwives
  • Professors
  • Clergy

What’s included in the price?

Upon completion of the training attendees receive an official Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator certificate, seal, and access to our online Bringing Baby Home Educator Resource Library. Included in the registration price is the 300-page Gottman Educator Training Manual and the Bringing Baby Home New Parents Workshop: Couples Materials Set, which contains the core items facilitators need to present a productive and engaging workshop. The Couples Materials Set also serves as course material for the Bringing Baby Home New Parents workshops, which educators can bulk order to use in a class or group setting. The set includes:

  • Bringing Baby Home Couple’s Workbook
  • Love Maps Card Deck
  • Love Maps for Couples with Kids Card Deck
  • Open-Ended Questions Card Deck
  • Father Cards Card Deck
  • Softened Start-Up and Expressing Needs Card Deck

Training Objectives

As a result of this training, you will be able to:

  • Present and facilitate couples’ small groups and classes at your church, hospital, community center, place of business, or home
  • Teach pregnant and parenting couples the skills needed to encourage healthy, supportive family relationships while decreasing postpartum depression, relationship conflict, and hostility
  • Independently teach and facilitate the 12-hour Bringing Baby Home Couples Workshop
  • Use the Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator title and distinction

Frequently Asked Questions

  • In order to successfully become a Bringing Baby Home Educator, you must:

    • Attend the two-day Bringing Baby Home Gottman Educator Training Program
    • Participate in “teachback” and other learning activities actively throughout the training
    • Agree to the Leader Agreement during training registration

  • If you intend to co-present workshops, bring your co-presenter and get trained together.

  • The Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator status authorizes an instructor / facilitator to:

    • Independently teach and facilitate the 12-hour Bringing Baby Home Couples Workshop
    • Use the Bringing Baby Home Educator title and distinction

  • Yes, as a Bringing Baby Home Educator, it is not acceptable to:

    • Present oneself as an employee, agent, or other representative of the Bringing Baby Home Program or The Gottman Institute. Exceptions to this are made for those hired as Master Trainers or Consultants to the Bringing Baby Home Program.
    • Present oneself as a Gottman Couples’ Therapist or to market / publicize the Bringing Baby Home workshop as Gottman Couples Therapy. This distinction requires a separate “licensure” program. Information about this opportunity can be obtained here. (Please note: If you have already obtained this distinction, then it is encouraged and appropriate to use both sets of letters and distinctions).
    • Present oneself as a couples’ therapist or market / publicize the Bringing Baby Home workshop as couples’ therapy. This distinction requires licensure from an accredited school, program, or organization.
    • Offer independent training or licensure on behalf of the Bringing Baby Home Program. For more information on how to become an approved, recognized Bringing Baby Home Training Specialist, please reach out to training@gottman.com.
    • Offer or present Bringing Baby Home training workshops for other professionals, unless said professionals attend as couples experiencing the transition to parenthood.
    • Offer or present formal seminars or presentations on Bringing Baby Home to academic audiences. (Please note: It is permissible and encouraged for Bringing Baby Home Educators to give informational seminars or informal talks in the community as a means of marketing or publicizing workshops.)

  • Continuing status is granted to those who maintain a favorable status with The Gottman Institute, as evidenced by:

    • Adherence to the Gottman Bringing Baby Home Educator Training Program Agreement
    • The maintenance of professional standards of conduct as defined by The Gottman Institute

    The benefits of maintaining credentials are:

    • A website posting of one’s name and program
    • Notification / newsletter(s) of program updates
    • Advanced notice of products and materials and information from The Gottman Institute
    • Website Posting: Once you have completed and passed the requirements for the Educator Training, a Bringing Baby Home Educator’s name, name of organization, city, and state of residence will be posted in the directory of Gottman Educators on the Bringing Baby Home website. This will allow couples to know that they are taking the workshop from an endorsed, reputable instructor. It is requested that Bringing Baby Home Educators keep The Gottman Institute informed of any address or program changes.
    • Confirming Status: The TGI staff would be glad to provide documentation or verbal confirmation of any Bringing Baby Home Educator’s status. Please have interested parties contact us via phone (206) 523-9042, ext.152 or online.