Abstract

Groups for parents, babies and toddlers, spanning the 1001 critical days from late pregnancy up to age two, are an effective way of supporting expectant and new parents by helping them to become more attuned, sensitive and empathic towards their child.

Contributors bring together a range of theoretical perspectives to show different ways to facilitate groups that combine mindfulness and psychological insight to promote bonding, attunement and mind-mindedness, and to prevent abuse and neglect. Case examples show a range of techniques that can be used, including baby massage, movement therapy, Video Interaction Guidance, Watch Wait Wonder and psychotherapeutic interventions. Examples include an in-patient mother-baby unit, community and health centres in the UK, to international examples in Greece, Kenya and New Zealand. Chapters illustrate practical and clinical aspects of running groups, the associated challenges, and highlights the importance of professional collaboration in a benign environment.

Weaving the Cradle is full of ideas and insights for those already running groups, as well as for those considering it, across health, social care and education settings.

This book is a treasure trove of inspiring work with parents and babies in groups. I was impressed by the honesty and reflectiveness of the diverse facilitators and families who reveal their feelings of anxiety, disappointment, irritation and joy, their mistakes and successes. If only there were such powerfully supportive groups like this in every neighbourhood.
Dr Sue Gerhardt, author of Why Love Matters, co-founder of OXPIP (Oxford Parent Infant Project)
This is the first book on early years and family interventions to bring together so many different approaches, and to speak both an academic and everyday language, making it accessible to a wide readership, including parents (...) Departing from recent trends in early years work, the authors show no intention of giving 'good parenting' or being didactic. Rather, they show how depth therapeutic approaches have the potential to draw out healthier relationships within families from difficult and/or vulnerable backgrounds (...) The chapters make it impossible to forget the sociocultural context in which work is currently taking place - austerity, cuts, and neoliberal indifference, both to human distress and to the societal roots of such despair.
Sissy Lykou, UKCP and ADMP registered integrative psychotherapist and dance movement therapist
Therapy Today
This valuable manual for practitioners acknowledges that mothering poses both wondrous moments and difficult challenges, especially when baby care reactivates unprocessed visceral residues. Chapters illustrate how multi-faceted 'attachment-based' group interventions increase parental sensitivity, empathy, and mentalization, delivered across venues and continents.
Joan Raphael-Leff, Psychoanalyst/Transcultural Psychologist and Leader, Academic Faculty for Psychoanalytic Research, Anna Freud Centre, London
This is just the sort of record we need of the work done by children's centres and their partners, and the outcomes achieved through this work.
Karen Walker, Centre Manager, North & North Wast Abingdon Children's Centres
Celebi has edited the work of professionals whose backgrounds range from psychotherapy to outreach work focusing on group work with parents and children under five years old. The book is a great resource for counsellors, psychotherapists, social workers and other professionals; as well as for families with children under five years old.
Sissy Lykou, UKCP and ADMP registered integrative psychotherapist and dance movement therapist
Private Practice

Here we have a real dynamo of a book which pumps out the energy, commitment and skills of all its contributors. This overview of the many different ways therapeutic groups can provide help and support to vulnerable parents who may be struggling to manage with their baby, or apprehensive about the baby to be, is an inspiration to all those who engage with such parents. This is preventative intervention at its most inventive.

Those who work in children's centres, will find this a resource full of the different communities they serve and are so central to. This is relationship-based practice at its best.

Robin Balbernie, Consultant Child Psychotherapist, Infant Mental Health Specialist, Clinical Director of PIP UK
This inspiring book has been skilfully woven by Monika Celebi with the same loving care that each chapter author shows towards the parents and their babies. Indeed a triumph of collaboration, clear writing with great depth, and a joy to read.
Hilary Kennedy, Educational Psychologist CPsychol, AFBPsS, Video Interaction Guidance (AVIGuk) Practitioner, Supervisor