I recently had a chance to speak to Stacy, the Director for Long Island for the Parent Collective, prenatal classes transforming the way new parents prepare for life with baby!
They are launching their new November prenatal class series onWednesday, November 7th. It will run Weds 14th, Weds 28th & Weds December 5th @ 6.30pm – 8.30pm and will be facilitated by the incredible Dale Cook, who recently retired as Midwife of 17 years and has delivered a little under 1200 babies!
1. What is the Parent Collective and how did it come about?
The Parent Collective offers a new style of prenatal class, designed to provide information, foster open discussion, and establish connections. We sort our participants by their neighborhood and due date so that couples in each class live close to one another and are due at the same time. Differing from classes that already exist, we provide a discussion-based and judgment-free curriculum which provides ample opportunity for connection within the group forging a robust and prenatal/parenting support system. Our connection to parents continues through online content, local resources, and the community – helping them to build their modern day village
The idea for the classes arose from the cofounders’ experiences with having babies in the UK where they have a prenatal class series called the NCT, or National Childbirth Trust. With these classes, couples register for a series of sessions with a group of couples who are all delivering around the same time and live local to one another. The idea being that along with learning what you need to about labor and caring for your newborn, you are also fostering a support network that will be invaluable to you during this next chapter in your lives.
2. Do you yourself have any children? How many and what are their ages?
I do, I have a 10-month old son, called Oliver. He’s my first!
3. Why did you choose Huntington to open your business
I moved to Long Island 2 years ago and live local to Huntington. When I was pregnant with my son I looked high and low for similar classes or ways to connect with mamas-to-be and I couldn’t find anything. I found the first few months of motherhood really quite isolating and lonely and that was when I realized there’s a real need for these type of classes here, which is how I got involved with The Parent Collective!
When I started to look for a location partner – my first and only stop was The Sandbox Playspace, when I found it I fell in love with it immediately. It’s been so great to bring Oliver to The Sandbox for play and to meet other moms for playdates. The owner, Toni, has been a great supporter of what we’re trying to do from the moment I met her!
4. What is your favorite part about the community and what do you/your family do for fun?
With the launch of The Parent Collective, I’ve met some incredible moms and local businesses and I love how much they really do care and support what we’re trying to do in the community. For family fun we love exploring the island -there’s an amazing amount of hikes here and we try and get out at the weekend as much as possible. We’re so lucky to be surrounded by incredible parks and beaches.
5. What do you find to be the most challenging part about running a business and managing your household/raising your children?
BALANCE! There’s definitely a fine line between controlling what you can and can’t! So I have to be really strict (and organized) with myself and concentrate on work when nap time is happening and not try to work when my son is awake – that’s his time.
6. What is your goal for The Parent Collective?
First and foremost to spread awareness of who and what we are and what we’re trying to create for new parents. Secondly, we’d love to populate across the Island into other locations, we have 3 locations in Connecticut and are also running in TriBeCa in the city – the sky’s the limit!
7. What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
I was born and lived in the UK before I moved to the US for love and after a brief stint in the British Army (you read that right).. I had a whirlwind music career in TV PR where I was lucky enough to rub elbows with stars such as Buble and CeeLo. Fun fact: CeeLo required his team, myself included to have a swig of Patron before every TV appearance… I have a few funny stories!
8. Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
My husband’s family 100% – I may have lost the plot before now if it wasn’t for their love and support. I live 3,424 miles (I googled it!) from my family and friends and it’s hard not having them nearby, especially through this stage in my life. So I’m very thankful.
Space is LIMITED at the Parent Collective Prenatal Classes- Only 10 couple spots per series, so spaces fill up quickly. Signup via Eventbrite: http://bit.ly/HuntingtonSignUp
Make sure to follow along onFacebook and Instagram: @theparentcollectivetpc