The Hatching Project - Couples

ONLY $25/COUPLE, Total!

The one time registration fee will cover all materials and 8 meals! You will also earn Baby Bucks for attending to use towards new baby items!

*CHILDCARE IS AVAILABLE. RESERVATIONS FOR CHILDCARE MUST BE MADE IN ADVANCE (*please see details on childcare below).

Sign up for this workshop using the Registration Options to the right.

Good News! Operation Us is now offering The Hatching Project at Springfield-Greene County WIC offices on a continuous basis for expectant parents in the Springfield area.

There is a lot to do before your baby arrives - diapers, cribs... and relationship advice? You better believe it! Baby proofing doesn't just apply to your house, it also applies to your relationship. The arrival of a baby can bring a lot of new challenges that not only affect the relationship between you and your child, but between you and your spouse also.

Our unique program lets us work with expectant couples and expectant single parents. We'll help you to...

• Learn to show appreciation and love in ways that are meaningful to your partner

• Learn to raise concerns in more effective and less hurtful ways

• Learn to talk in ways that won't drain energy from the relationship

• Strengthen your relationship

• Discuss common concerns for new parents

• Focus on skills for problem-solving

• Practice conflict resolution

Don't forget! This workshop is not just for married or coupled parents. We've set up it up so that it will be relevant to all expectant parents – solo parents are as welcome as couples. 

How Does It All Work?

At the beginning of every workshop, parents and staff have a meal together in the WIC kitchen. After dinner, you begin learning ways to make your relationship stronger and healthier. You have the opportunity to participate in group and individual activities that build your relationship skills and show you how to keep your relationship fun and exciting even with the stress of a new baby.

Earn Baby Bucks!

Do something great for yourself and your baby! Earn baby bucks by attending Hatching workshops and spend them in the baby boutique. Attend with your spouse or partner and earn double bucks!

Each workshop is two hours long. A complete hatching workshop is 16 hours over 8 weeks.

4 hours = 25 points per parent

8 hours = 50 points per parent

12 hours = 75 points per parent

Attend all 16 hours and you receive 25 extra points, totaling 125 points per parent.

Points earned can be used to purchase diapers, feeding supplies, baby clothing, and other new baby items.

The Hatching Project is for parents:

• 18 years of age or older
• expecting a baby or just had a baby (less than 6 months of age)
• wanting to strengthen their relationship
• looking for ways to work as a team in raising their child

The Hatching Project series will start on Thursday, January 16th and meet over 8 weeks. Dinner will be served at 5:30pm and the workshop will start at 6pm.

*Childcare space is limited and available for children 5 and under at no cost to the participants. Due to allergies, dinner will not be provided for children. Please feed them before the workshop or bring a seperate dinner for them. Childcare is available starting at 5:30pm to the end of class. Parents will be given a set of childcare guidelines at the first class.

This project is funded by a grant from The Community Foundation of the Ozarks and supported by The Friends of Operation Us, The Forest Institute of Professional Psychology and Springfield-Greene County WIC.