Making Sense Out of Parenting

The impending birth of a child is both exciting and scary. When new parents realize there isn't a "how to" manual that accompanies them home from the hospital, many feel overwhelmed by what's to come.

Parenting is a learning process, yes, but it never hurts to get some good advice along the way.

This is where Garden City residents Beth Karcher and Rebecca Kammerer, co-founders of Parent Sense, Inc., step in.

Both moms themselves - Beth of 7-year-old twins and a 21-month-old and Rebecca of 2-year-old twins, the duo met while attending meetings of the Nassau County Mother of Twins Club.

It was at those meetings they both realized how much of a need existed to help prepare twin moms in bringing their babies home.

"We were finding so many mothers coming up to us and asking questions," Kammerer said. "It was really great, the response we got."

The ladies began offering classes for free through the club in July 2009.

"Rebecca and I started doing the classes and realized how much we loved reaching out to these new moms and dads," Karcher said.

What started out as just some friendly advice between moms has turned into a full-blown friendship and business for Karcher and Kammerer.

Karcher, after completing her MBA, soon realized raising children is the hardest job she ever had, with little to no training. Helping to guide others in parenting issues so they can be prepared and less overwhelmed has become Karcher's passion.

Kammerer has 14 years of live-in and live-out child care experience, helping to raise singleton and twin children, and also has experience running a daycare business. She believes focusing on a few essential principles will make things more pleasant for the entire family unit.

Together, their philosophy is a back-to-basics, functional approach to parenting.

"People need to understand that it's part of a whole lifestyle," Karcher said. "You have to feed them enough food, give them enough exercise. You really need to be proactive with them."

Karcher said Parent Sense, Inc. teaches parents a system that already works. "We're giving people advice that's proven," she said.

Both women believe that better parenting tools can reduce stress at home. And through classes, workshops, playgroups and private consultations, they strive to help new moms and dads make "sense" out of parenting, addressing challenges and important issues like sleep and feeding schedules, potty training and sharing.

Private two-and-a-half hour in-person consultations are provided in the comfort of one's home. A detailed Q & A is emailed to the family a week prior to enable clients to outline any specific questions they may have.

Karcher and Kammerer strongly suggest both partners be present for the in-house consult and extend the invitation to all those who care for the children, including grandparents, sisters, aunts, uncles, friends and/or caretakers.

The ladies develop a specific plan based on their client's child-rearing style and follow-up with three 20-minute phone consultations and unlimited email follow-ups for four months.

Classes cover a whole range of issues for expectant parents.

"We're Having a Baby" classes for expectant parents of singletons (one baby) focus on how to prepare beforehand, what gear you need, infant care, soothing tips, getting babies on a schedule and more. This class is by appointment.

"We're Having Twins" classes are held the first Tuesday of every month at The Cupcake Corner. This class offers advice about what to expect with multiples, including how to feed two babies at the same time and what a typical day is like raising twins. The next classes are Feb. 2 and March 2.

"Sleep, Baby, Sleep" classes are held the second Tuesday of each month, also at The Cupcake Corner. This class is geared toward helping moms in getting their babies on a sleep schedule. The next classes are Feb. 9 and March 9.

Karcher and Kammerer said the most common issue raised is that of sleep schedules and the importance of napping.

"This class is for people with twins or with just one baby to teach them how to get their baby on a schedule, sleeping through the night and falling asleep on their own," Karcher said.

What's interesting is that both women have a different approach, which is why Kammerer said she and Beth compliment each other so well.

"Beth has a no-cry sleep training method and I have a timed crying sleep training method," Kammerer said. "When you come to our classes you can hear how she did it and how I did it."

Kammerer's method could take two weeks if the child is completely healthy (not sick or teething) while Karcher's method tends to take longer.

"Some parents need to have that more gentle approach while others teach their children to self-soothe," she added. "It's a gift you're really giving your child, even at a small age."

All classes are also offered in one's home for those moms on bed rest or whose schedules conflict. Discipline classes will be offered this spring and are based on Love and Logic principles.

Karcher and Kammerer said Parent Sense, Inc.'s workshops are for "parents, grandparents, childcare providers, teachers and anyone who wants to bring more understanding, love and joy to their relationship with young children."

The workshops cover the most asked about topics and encourage participants to brainstorm ways to deal with various parenting issues.  

Workshops are held on the second Thursday of each month at The Cupcake Corner. The first on Feb. 11 will tackle sleep issues while the second, scheduled for March 11, will address potty training.

These workshops cost $25 and are held between 11 a.m. and noon. 

Playgroups are offered at Little Seeds of Garden City, located at 311 Nassau Boulevard. Share experiences and ask questions while your babies play at this new children's center in Garden City South.

Wednesday playgroups (twins or more) are for moms and their babies, newborn to 12 months. Mark your calendar for Feb. 3 between noon and 12:45 p.m. The playgroup runs for six consecutive Wednesdays and for a limited time costs $127.50.

Saturday playgroups (twins or more) are for moms and their toddlers, ages 1-3 years old. Mark your calendar for Feb. 6 between 9:15 and 10:15 a.m. The playgroup runs for six consecutive Saturdays and for a limited time costs $127.50.

The women are looking to start playgroups for parents and their single children in the next few months.

"Meet new moms, get support from Rebecca and myself all while your kids get a great space to play in," Karcher said.

For Kammerer, this is her passion. "It's exactly what I've always wanted to do. Meeting Beth was wonderful because she has the same ideas I do."

To pre-register for classes (space is limited to keep class size intimate) or to find out more about Parent Sense, Inc. call 917-862-7644, email parentsense@theparentsense.com or visit www.theparentsense.com.