May
12
3:00 PM15:00

Yoga Picnic

Join us for another Bright Birthing yoga picnic at Belmont Park! Sara Zia will lead a practice appropriate for pregnant folks, new parents and loved ones. Bring food or drinks to share or come as you are!

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Mar
7
5:00 PM17:00

Crappy Dinner at Sara's

This year in addition to village circle each month (stay tuned here or on our facebook page for dates, speakers, themes, etc) we are excited to open our homes in 2018 for irregular, occasional Crappy Dinners!

A meme that totally speaks to busy parents, Crappy Dinners may be absolutely scrumptious and indeed not super crappy at all, the point being we will not go to great measures to clean our homes, we will not be showing off or entertaining. We plan to pull out frozen meals, request attendees show up with something to share, order pizza or something similarly casual. 

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January Village Circle
Jan
30
4:00 PM16:00

January Village Circle

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Several years ago I had the pleasure of hearing Sister Morningstar speak. On multiple occasions I'd been moved by pieces she had written in Midwifery Today, none more so than this piece on what she calls Village Prenatals. 

"The mothers come from near and far. They have a variety of birth plans and care providers. We are there to shower them with village attention and support and to bathe them in a sense of belonging and being cherished. The one inspiration and encouragement we echo over and over in our stories, on our walks, in our drumming and deliciously in our feasting is this: Trust your Instincts. Follow what makes sense to you. Do it your way. Take your time. Find a place of peace to make decisions. Speak your Truth. Find your Truth. Your body has all the right answers. No one has your knowing. Build your instincts. Trust your instincts."

My doula compatriots and I decided to bring that spirit to our clients and the greater community of childbearing folks in Charlottesville. Our version is a monthly gathering, open to all and free of charge where we share stories and support, often hosting speakers and folks with special skills and knowledge. Sometimes we have craft projects, meditations, picnics, classes - but always the spirit of supporting one another with validation and love. Details of location and topic will always be shared here on our facebook page!

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Crappy Dinner at Gwen's
Jan
17
5:00 PM17:00

Crappy Dinner at Gwen's

Pizza at Gwen's!

A meme that totally speaks to busy parents, Crappy Dinners may be absolutely scrumptious and indeed not super crappy at all, the point being we will not go to great measures to clean our homes, we will not be showing off or entertaining. We plan to pull out frozen meals, request attendees show up with something to share, order pizza or something similarly casual. 

Commensality - sharing a table, eating together - is an intimate and enlivening thing to do. We laugh, make a mess, nourish ourselves on so many levels when we eat together with other beloved grown-ups and kiddos. We may discuss our day, our concerns, what we've been binge-watching on Netflix, or just touch base with one another. We are looking forward to a year of deepening connections with each other and with you - if you are interested in hosting a Crappy Dinner at your place, let us know! 

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*Thanks to Sarah Struckmann and the Moms and Babies group at the Women’s Initiative for reminding us of the notion of Crappy Dinners, and this article from Mothering!

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Storytime at Sweethaus
Nov
22
to Dec 13

Storytime at Sweethaus

Join us at Sweethaus for storytime Wednesday mornings this winter! We'll meet at 9:30, adults can grab coffee and kiddos can play before we settle in for a few books and at least one song.

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Nov
11
to Nov 12

Artisans Studio Tour

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We are pleased to sponsor this year's Charlottesville area Artisans Studio Tour, which will include 45 artisans and their work in the spaces where they create it; learn why they create; and examine how they create. Consider making the Tour a two-day experience and enjoy other area offerings while you are here. What a great way to spend a fall weekend! 

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Jul
5
to Aug 2

Childbirth Education Series

Join Sara Zia for a childbirth education series at Winding River Birth Center. Contact her with questions or to register via sz3d@virginia.edu

Session 1: Birth is Safe

Session 2: Interventions: risks and benefits

Session 3: Stages of Labor/Ways labor can start/what to do

Session 4: Baby is here! What next?

Session 5: Coping Skills, Comfort Measures and Posture Support. 

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May
14
4:00 PM16:00

Third Annual Mothers' Day Yoga Picnic

Join us at Belmont Park for the third year in a row to celebrate mothers! We will have a picnic spread to share, though we welcome potluck contributions. Feel free to bring bubbles, sidewalk chalk, hoola hoops, picnic blankets and yoga mats. Our own Sara Zia will share a yoga sequence for pregnant folks, but kiddos and others are welcome to join!

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May
6
10:00 AM10:00

MSC Truck Touch

The Third Annual Montessori School of Charlottesville (MSC) Truck Touch will provide children with the unique opportunity to explore vehicles of all types—public service, emergency, utility, construction, transportation, delivery and more—all in one place. Those young and those young at heart will have a chance to touch, climb on, and ask questions about their favorite trucks in a safe, supervised environment. There will also be food trucks and other kid-friendly activities.

Admission is $5 per person with a maximum of $20 per family. 12 months and under free. Tickets are available online and at the event.

Find out more at http://www.trucktouchcville.com/.

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Apr
30
4:00 PM16:00

April Village Circle

As Sister Morningstar writes: "The mothers come from near and far. They have a variety of birth plans and care providers. We are there to shower them with village attention and support and to bathe them in a sense of belonging and being cherished. The one inspiration and encouragement we echo over and over in our stories, on our walks, in our drumming and deliciously in our feasting is this: Trust your Instincts. Follow what makes sense to you. Do it your way. Take your time. Find a place of peace to make decisions. Speak your Truth. Find your Truth. Your body has all the right answers. No one has your knowing. Build your instincts. Trust your instincts."

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