Help me plan a blessing way

[Benny's Mom]

One of my closest friends is expecting a baby in the middle of February and I am helping to plan her blessingway. Has anyone here ever seen one or planned one who can share suggestions to make the event meaningful, feminine, supportive and spiritual. The expectant mother has a deep and loving personality and enjoys her jewish rituals and connections to other women.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

Thankyou!:)

[Benny's Mom]

Is there anyone out there that's been to one or planned one? I'd really love any suggestions because i've never seen one before. Thanks in advance.

[hedra]

I've had one. :)

I'll describe mine, which was a bit casual (and tiny!), but still great.

Each person brought something that represented a gift they felt THEY had, which would be useful to me in labor.

My mom gave me a magnifying glass, for focus. My best friend gave me a nutcracker, for persistance. My other best friend gave me a large solid superball (those high-bounce rubber balls) for resilience.

They then washed my feet and hands with water that had essential oils in it (for peacefulness and energy, both).

Then we ate.

Very simple. A common other activity (which we didn't do, as all three were going to be there for the birth) is to take a long piece of string and pass the whole thing either looped around through all the people present or held in the mother-to-be's hands. Then each person there cuts a bit from the string and ties it around her wrist. The string remains until the baby is born (or, since she's Jewish, you could have them keep it on until the Bris or naming ceremony), to remind the mother (who also has a bit of it on) and the others of their connection to one-another. She will know that all over the place, women are thinking of her with hope, love, and encouragement dozens of times a day.

My heritage includes Navajo, where the Blessingways come from. So it made even more sense for me to include one. I also henna'd my hands at 37 weeks (when I was clear to birth at the Birth Center). It lasts a few weeks, so it was still faintly there when Gabe was born (he was two weeks late, though, so it was faint!).

Did you look them up online? There are descriptions of a few, I'm sure. I'll see if I can find any for you. :)

[hedra]

email me for the links - some are at other birth-related sites, not okay to link here.

[djk42]

At a recent baby shower we incorporated the following: once you know the number of guests, ask the parents to make a list of the [ten] traits they most want to see in their child; then on a card with the baby's name and due date, ask for prayers for each trait and for the birth experience, baby and mother during the week before the baby is due. Each card has a different trait on it (in case you didn't get that) and guests choose one to take with them to help them remember to pray. Scripture readings of births would also be appropriate, and adding on things like, 'may you have the persistance of Hannah' after reading about Samuel's birth. I bet hedra sent you the same links I have (from Andrea), but if you need more ideas refresh again. :)

[Benny's Mom]

Thank you djk42 and Hedra. I'm part of a group of five women planning this event and our next meeting is a week from now. You both gave me a couple of good ideas.

Elise:)