the Natural Nurturing Network

the Natural Nurturing Network

PO Box 5622, Wigston, Leicestershire, LE18 2ZA;

answerphone:*0116 288 0844

date:

Dear

Members of the Natural Nurturing Network share certain ideas about the nature and needs of people, and aim to put these ideas into practice with regard to ourselves, our children and each other. We recognize that although these are our ideals, reality is often different.

We are convinced that people are born good and social creatures. We are committed to nurturing our children during their natural stage of dependence with love, respect and patience, so they may grow up to become responsible, self-reliant and fulfilled. To this end we do our best to meet our babies' basic needs by:

* bonding at birth;

* long-term breastfeeding;

* giving them a place in the family bed;

* baby carrying;

* responding to their cues.

As our children grow, we aim to nurture their sense of self-worth through:

* involving them in our everyday lives;

* respectful guidance based on mutual trust and love;

* encouraging their inborn sense of self-preservation.

As adults we try to support each other by:

* nurturing ourselves and one another;

* sharing our trials and triumphs;

* helping each other through difficult situations;

* non-judgmental communication.

The network as a whole offers:

* a regular newsletter which gives a sense of community, and acts as a

forum, information pool and notice-board;

* gatherings for meeting new people, discussing common issues and

sharing activities;

* people nearby with whom to speak, meet up, and share the journey;

* a nation-wide support network.

Membership of the Natural Nurturing Network costs £10.00 for one year (£12 for overseas members) and includes the following:

-a bimonthly newsletter, to provide a sense of community and a space for people

to air their views and share their experiences;

-a contact-list of members (updated regularly) so people can contact each other,

meet up, and/or form local support groups;

-a copy of the Experiences Register;

-the chance to enrol for the Summer Camps and Winter Gatherings.

The newsletter is friendly and informal. In a typical newsletter you will find "Network News", which ranges from forthcoming meetings to birth-announcements and changes in the administration set-up; articles and book reviews sent in by members; letters with often very personal accounts of peoples' lives, and their problems and triumphs; replies to contributions in previous issues; a "Notice-board" section, for call-ups, requests, announcements etc.; as well as illustrations and poems. Most newsletters have a theme but contributions on any subject are always welcome.

Gatherings are organized by members, usually in their homes or local community halls. They are often, but not always, announced in the newsletter. The object of these meetings is usually to meet up and talk, while the children can play together in a relaxed environment. We organized our first network Summer Camp in 1995; this was a great success, and has become a regular, expanding, feature. In 1997 we started having Winter Gatherings in Youth Hostels: there are four gatherings planned for the coming winter.

An Experiences Register has been compiled , which enables members who are faced with a certain problem or dilemma to contact other members who have experience in dealing with it. There are also 'phone friends' (male & female), and pen pals: these people have offered to answer calls or correspondence from members who need someone to listen to them.

We publish a Resource Guide (£2) which is a list of organisations with similar or related aims and views, and a list of books (£1.50) and publications recommended by members as helpful, inspirational, and/or supportive. There is also a compilation of all the book-reviews (£2) which have appeared in this newsletter. Apart from that we have photocopies available of various articles on continuum parenting, co-sleeping and the like, and back-issues of the newsletter can be ordered (prices on request). We have an information leaflet - if you would like some to distribute please let us know.

The Natural Nurturing Network is a non-profit making organisation run by volunteers. Help is always welcome. As we grow, the work-load needs to be spread out more, so we are looking for a few administrative helpers to take on specific jobs. Also, illustrations for the newsletter are often in short supply, and a poem or two would round off the newsletter very nicely. If you have other skills or ideas to offer the network, please do!

To join the network, for more information, or for a friendly chat, please contact us at the address at the top of this letter. We look forward to hearing from you!

Sincerely,

Keith Campbell,

Membership secretary.

the NaturalNurturing Network

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Membership for one year is £10 (£12 for overseas members) - or less, or more, as you can afford); please make cheques payable to 'The Natural Nurturing Network'.

PO Box 5622, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 2ZA

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