Repeat Parents' Program
Many mothers' and parents' groups cater only to first time parents. Time and again, we hear stories of families new to the area, with a big age gap between children or who are simply finding life with two or more kids tough, that are declined entry to health service-arranged mothers' and parents' groups simply because they are repeat parents.
When they search for alternatives, these parents are usually recommended to playgroups or private, paid programs. For the most part, playgroups are designed to meet the play and social needs of children, rather than the emotional needs of their parents. Although support may be there from a facilitator or outreach team, it is difficult to reflect on and articulate how you feel about your transition to repeat parenthood or make new friends while juggling a hungry baby and a toddler intent on squishing playdough into the carpet. Paid programs are often in the city, and covering the travel and registration costs (and potentially the cost of childcare for older siblings) is a barrier to most parents in our local area.
In response to this massive support gap for growing families, Anna Cusack and Mums' Cottage have teamed up to offer the Repeat Parents' Program.
Program details
What is this the Repeat Parents' Program?
A 5-6 week program for parents and their children to attend together. The program aims to meet the emotional needs of parents as they cope with the demands of raising multiple children, while also meeting the care and supervision needs of older siblings.
Who is involved in running the program?
The program is co-facilitated by two doulas, Anna Cusack and Natasha McGrath, and the volunteer team at Mums' Cottage. The Cottage volunteers have a variety of skills from counseling degrees to advocacy to grandmothering, and are at your service regardless of whether you join this program or not!
Natasha is passionate about postpartum care and mental health. She has extensive experience in early childhood education and disability support, and has three kids who are now teenagers.
You can read about Anna on the "About" page of this website, but in short, Anna is a postpartum doula with a background in allied health care who loves facilitating nourishing, supportive group programs like this one. She has two kids under the age of six and gets the intensity of what you're dealing with right now!
Where will the program be held?
The Repeat Parents' Program will be held at Mums' Cottage, 29 St Helens St, Holmesville. If you have never heard of Holmesville, never fear! Mums' Cottage is 5 minutes from Cameron Park Woolworths, or 15 minutes form Speers Point Park.
When is it on?
The dates for the Term 4, 2024 program are Thursdays from 9.30-11.30am, October 24 - November 21 inclusive.
The dates for the Term 1, 2025 program are yet to be finalised.
How will it work?
Each session goes for 2 hours. For the first 90 minutes of each session, one facilitator will host a supportive, circle-style session with the attending parents and their babies indoors. Activities in the parent session may include things like guided relaxations, journaling, gentle movement, baby massage, facilitated discussion and a cuppa. During this time the other facilitator and volunteer team will support older children to engage in play activities in the fenced yard (or indoors, in case of bad weather). Children will be able to check in with you if they feel distressed, but we will do our best to keep them entertained and you uninterrupted! The final 30 mins of each session parents, babies, children, both doulas and volunteers will enjoy food and playtime together. This will also give parents' an opportunity to talk privately with facilitators or skilled volunteers about anything that might not wish to share in the group session.
Who can register?
This program has been designed for repeat parents with a second or subsequent baby (or babies, in the case of multiples) aged six months or younger. That said there is no age limit as such, and it is open to repeat parents who feel that they would benefit from being involved in it. Parents of any gender can attend, regardless of whether they have care of their children on the scheduled program day or not.
Can I still come if my older child(ren) are at school or care that day?
Yes! You are more than welcome to attend with or without your older kiddos.
Will there be future programs beyond Term 1, 2025?
The current programs have been made possible thanks to funding from NSW ClubGrants. We are hopeful that the program is successful and will be funded beyond this point, but there are no guarantees.
Is there a cost to attend?
Thanks to our successful grant funding, the Repeat Parent Program is free to attend. At the end of the program parents can choose to make a donation to Mums' Cottage if they wish, but this is entirely optional.
How can I register my interest in the program?
Please use the expressions of interest form below to register your interest in the Repeat Parent Program. Please know that registering your interest does not automatically book you for either course, and you will receive further contact from Mums' Cottage or Anna Cusack in the lead up to the program.
Will I have to do any paperwork?
On the first day of the program you will be asked to fill in a participant information sheet and a questionnaire. These are kept private, and we can help you complete them if you'd like. The purpose of gathering the information is to better provide you with relevant information (if you want it), link you to helpful services that Mums' Cottage and their connections provide (with your consent) and gather (deidentified) data that will support our application for continued funding.