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Connecting with Your Child from the Beginning
Introduction:
This week, we’re reflecting on how the journey of pregnancy, whether it’s past or present, sets the foundation for our relationship with our child. Understanding how we connect with our children—even before they are born—helps shape our future interactions as parents.
Task 1: Reflecting on Your Thoughts During Pregnancy
1. Think back to your pregnancy (or imagine if you’re expecting): What were/are the most common feelings or thoughts you have about your child?
• Excited
• Nervous
• Overwhelmed
• Other: _____________________
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2. How do you think those early thoughts or emotions might be influencing your parenting now?
​3. Are you more of a ‘regulator’ (someone who values routine) or a ‘facilitator’ (someone who goes with the flow)? What does that say about your approach to parenting?
Task 2: Exploring Emotional Bonds from the Beginning
1. How do you think the bond you started forming during pregnancy has shaped the way you interact with your child today?
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2. Do you believe it’s important to be “real” with your child, even about difficult feelings? How do you think that helps them develop emotionally?
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3. If you are co-parenting, take a moment to discuss how you felt during pregnancy or in the early days of parenting. What did you each feel most strongly about?
Task 3: Forgiving Yourself and Moving Forward
1. If you feel you didn’t do pregnancy “right” or had moments of stress, how can you forgive yourself and focus on the present relationship with your child?
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2. What steps can you take to improve the bond you have with your child today, regardless of how pregnancy or the early days went?
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Final Reflection
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1. Whether you’re expecting a child, raising a toddler, or parenting a teenager, how does reflecting on pregnancy help you understand your parenting style?
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2. What can you do to build an honest, real connection with your child from now on?
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Progress Tracker
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Use this section to evaluate your progress in understanding how pregnancy shapes your parenting and building a stronger bond with your child.
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Quantitative Tracking
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1. How much progress have you made in reflecting on your thoughts and emotions from pregnancy?
On a scale of 1-5 (1 = Little reflection, 5 = Significant reflection):
( ) 1
( ) 2
( ) 3
( ) 4
( ) 5
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2. How confident do you feel in building an honest and real connection with your child, even if pregnancy didn’t go “perfectly”? On a scale of 1-5 (1 = Not confident, 5 = Very confident):
( ) 1
( ) 2
( ) 3
( ) 4
( ) 5
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Qualitative Tracking
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1. What was the most important realization you had about your thoughts during pregnancy or the early days of parenting?
2. How do you feel about your current relationship with your child after reflecting on this?
3. What steps can you take to keep improving your connection with your child, no matter their age?