" ... My husband and I feel as though we are better equipped as parents because of the support we received.... " 
~Shanna H.
Picture

  Babies By The Blue Ridge 
What is Babies By The Blue Ridge?

The four ways I work to support families...
~ DOULA WORK : supporting families once home with their newborn  
~CONSULTING FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN under 6: one on one consultations
~ PARENT CHILD CLASSES: various classes for families with children birth to three years (Currently not offered) 
~MONTESSORI NIDO (nest) ~ An INFANT CARE PROGRAM : two days a week September thru May



Babies By The Blue Ridge began 24 years ago as a small idea one day while nursing my infant daughter...  how could I bring two separate parts of my past that I felt so deeply about to my then new surroundings here amidst the Blue Ridge Mountains? 

This reflection soon became Montessori Open Mornings (or MOMs), a parent child program I offered where parents joined me in becoming their children’s guides for the morning in my carefully prepared Montessori environment. Parents in effect learning alongside their children and often, I’m now told, making lifelong friends in the process as they relaxed with other parents who share a common vision for their children.

Years later, a small Montessori Infant Toddler Program grew out of MOMs, when my first grandchild turned one and was ready to explore the world of friends without her parents. She instead came three mornings a week and explored with me, her "Tia".  (Now I am called "Tia" by every child who passes through my program)  For ten years I offered this opportunity for very young children , under 4 years of age, who came and learned together in a Montessori environment, without their parents.  This program included a Summer Camp full of outdoor adventure too.

The Infant Toddler program  and summer camp are no longer offered however I do provide nurturing, Montessori based care two mornings a week to infants who are under a year old. It is called a Montessori Infant "Nido" or nest, in Italian, providing care for the youngest in our community!

Eventually I began Doula work. I find it to be a meaningful role which encompasses all of my past experience and training. I come into one's home , and offer support to parents and their newborn(s) serving as their Postpartum Doula. I believe every family deserves a doula, to give the kind of experienced, caring attention most needed when beginning life with a newborn in the family.  See Month10Doulas in Charlottesville (www.month10.com) to learn more about my work.

Doula work gradually led to consulting one on one with families seeking perspective on their child’s development or assistance in creating their child(ren)’s home environment. I provide ideas to parents and sometimes nannies too, on what to offer at home to their children at each stage of their child's development.
 I also provide coaching support through the challenges and transitions parents face beginning at birth through their children’s first six years.  In a competitive world awash in information it can be very helpful to have the support of someone who has raised children, has many years of training and experience working with young children and their families, and who brings a non-judgmental perspective to meet your family’s specific needs. 
I am a founder, trainer and the Director of a community based nonprofit postpartum doula service which Month10 began as well called Nearby Baby (www.nearbybaby.org) Nearby Baby provides doula support in the home after birth to all, regardless of income. 


So this is Babies By The Blue Ridge. Read on and learn in more detail about these four services I provide. Then please call or email to see how I can best help you and your family. 




"Our time at Babies By the Blue Ridge, from when my son was 6 months until 21 months old, brings back fond memories of an idyllic and enriching environment . Cynthia not only filled his days with the joys of Montessori discoveries, but with the love and compassion of an experienced educator and doula. Theo was welcomed to explore the natural world in a safe and inviting way, and the skills he acquired then remain part of his learning repertoire now. Also, Cynthia's ability to foster a positive dynamic between the children of his "class" helped us develop close relationships to those families (which we've maintained to this day). I am grateful for our time there and feel lucky that Theo was able to be a part of such a rich developmental experience."  ~ Jen Fleisher




Cynthia Jordan Fisher          434.960.7077         cjfmoms@gmail.com         www.BabiesByTheBlueRidge.com