The Family Blueprint
Design your parenting approach before your baby arrives
A thoughtful Satruday workshop for couples preparing for life with their new baby.
Workshop at a Glance
Who is it for: Expectant couples
When: Saturday workshops 10am - 4pm
Format: Small in-person workshop
Group size: limited places to keep atmosphere relaxed
Location: Dublin (additional workshops can be arranged in other parts of Ireland when there is enough interest)
If you would like to request this workshop in your area, fill in this form.
Why this workshop exists
Most couples spend months preparing for the birth of their baby — attending antenatal classes, learning about labour, and getting the house ready.
But very little time is spent thinking about what parenting together will actually look like once the baby arrives.
When a new baby comes along, parents are suddenly surrounded by advice. Friends, family, books, social media — everyone seems to have a different opinion about what you should be doing.
When you're exhausted and it’s 3am, that’s not the moment most people want to be trying to sort through all of that.
This workshop gives couples the chance to pause before their baby arrives and have some of those bigger conversations.
What kind of parents do we want to be?
What really matters to us as a family?
How do we want to handle the difficult moments when they come?
Having those conversations early often means couples enter the first year of parenting feeling clearer about their approach, and better able to support each other when things inevitably get challenging.
What we explore in the workshop
During the workshop we look at some of the big questions couples often face as they begin their parenting journey.
• Why babies and young children behave the way they do, and what they need most in their early years
• How early relationships shape emotional security, confidence, and resilience
• The different parenting approaches couples are often exposed to — and how to make sense of the conflicting advice
• How our own childhood experiences can influence the instincts we bring into parenting
• How everyday interactions between parents and children shape trust, connection, and emotional security
• How couples can support each other and stay aligned when parenting becomes challenging
The aim is not to give couples a rigid set of rules, but to help them think clearly about the kind of relationship they want to build with their child from the very beginning.
What the workshop feels like
The workshop is relaxed and conversational rather than formal. It isn’t a lecture.
We look at ideas together, using real-life examples and discussion, and couples have time to think about their own experiences and the kind of family life they hope to create.
Some people like to talk things through during the session, while others prefer to listen and reflect — both are completely fine.
Many couples say it feels good to take a step back before the baby arrives and have these conversations early, rather than trying to figure everything out in the middle of the newborn months.
Practical Details
Time
Saturdays, 10am – 4pm
Location
Dublin (venue details provided after booking)
Who it's for
Couples are encouraged to attend together where possible, but single parents are very welcome (and may bring a guest if they wish).
Group size
Small groups to keep discussions relaxed and conversational
Breaks
Tea and coffee are available throughout the day, with a break for lunch
Additional workshops in other parts of Ireland may be organised if there is enough interest.
About Jennifer
Jennifer Farrell is a parent educator, former primary school teacher, and mother of three.
After more than ten years working with children and families, she became increasingly interested in the everyday dynamics between parents and children, and how those relationships shape family life.
Through her work as The Jentle Parent, she runs workshops that help parents make sense of children’s behaviour and think more clearly about the kind of relationships they want to build at home.
The ideas explored in the workshops are informed by research in child development, attachment, and nervous system science, alongside Jennifer’s experience working with children, parents, and families.
Join a Parenting Blueprint workshop
Preparing for a baby is one of the biggest transitions in life.
Taking a day to step back and think about how you want to approach parenting together can make the early months feel much calmer and more manageable.
If you’d like to begin your parenting journey feeling more aligned and clear about what matters to you both, you can reserve your place at the next Family Blueprint workshop below.
Have a question before booking?
