Raymond Parenting

This class was a lifesaver. Highly recommend it. Cannot recommend anything better for parents. All my friends loved it too.
Also, never thought my 3 1/2 year old would get out of diapers, until Kitty’s class.
In both cases my children were new children, doing things I hadn’t thought possible a few days prior.
By the way my boys are 6 and 4 now and we have never had a sleep issue with them since. And the toilet training was so stress free. When I watch others struggle with this, I feel blessed to have heard of Raymond Parenting.
I love this woman. Her advise is fantastic.
Thanks so much Kitty!!

Michelle

By Michelle on September 18, 2009

Thank you!  Your 3 night suggestion worked like a charm.  It actually only
took 2 nights for our boys to sort out their wake ups.  Since then, we have
had a couple of crying spells, but we stood strong and let them sort it out
themselves.  For the past 5 nights, we have had solid sleeps, which has been
absolutely heavenly!
L. D.

By L.D. on October 1, 2009

The day before his third month birthday, we attended a sleep workshop by Raymond Parenting. On the night of this third month birthday we started following Kitty Raymond’s advice and he took to it right away. It was like a switch turned on for our child. He really found his hands to suck on and I believe this has been SO helpful to him at night. He has been sleeping 11-12 hours at night, going to bed at 8pm and waking up at 7am (and usually I have to go in and wake him up!). He wakes up happy and smiling. He often has a brief wake-up around 4am or 5am, but he finds those fingers and falls right back to sleep without mommy or daddy’s help until I go in at 7am! Wheeee! He has also been having 3 naps during the day and falls asleep easily for those as well.  It’s unbelievable.”

By L&S on October 1, 2009

I just wanted to say how incredibly happy my husband and I are that we attended your sleep class back when our babies (yes, I’m the one with the 14 month old twins from last week) were 6 weeks old.  We often talk about how important developing good sleep habits has been so great for them, as well as for our sanity.  There were some rough times during the first few months with napping but, with support from my husband and a caregiver, I was able to stick to the program so that early-wakeups and crying was very abnormal in our household.  Over and over other people marvel at what happy and good-natured children we have and people seem to think this is so amazing but we know it is largely because they get their sleep.  So we thank you for this very important class (and subsequent email advice) and your research-driven, sensible and straightforward approach.

I also wanted to let you know that if you ever think about having some ‘real people’ who have had success with your program attend a class to chat with people at the end or share some of the high or low points with others (hopefully to help them persevere) I’d be happy to do so.  I have known some people who just didn’t stick with your program (and they really regret it now) and I can understand how that happens.

Anyways, we just really wanted to share our very positive feedback with you - keep up the great work in all that you do.

By Tania B. on October 14, 2009

Since taking the “Sleep from the Start” class from Raymond Parenting, our routines around sleep have helped our son so much. After being in the “Sleep from Now On” class, his naps are that much more successful and we have great plans to help him as his sleep patterns evolve. I would highly recommend these classes to anyone who has dreaded nightime and naps… so pretty much every parent!!

By Robin on October 29, 2009

We had the pleasure of attending your class last night, I really appreciate your advice and have had great success with naps today!  For the first time I was able to just put her down in her bed and she fell asleep! It was so amazing.  The information that you shared with us gave me the confidence to just put her down.
Thanks for that.

By JG on December 10, 2009

Thanks so much Kitty!

I’d like to also update you on our progress since the class as the results have been truly amazing. Using all of your suggestions, our daughter is now fully able to fall to sleep after being placed in her bed awake.  Using your method, we experienced a total of 15 minutes of crying on the first night after her soother fell out.  She has not cried again even after loosing her soother!!  Naps are also going so well.  She hasn’t cried once and is very quick to fall asleep once she is put in her cosleeper(Arms Reach).  Even after night feeds she falls asleep on her own.  Your method was the perfect solution for us and our little one.

Thanks again.  You have given me the gift of additional free time, the best present that I will receive this holiday season!
Have a great one,

By J. on December 14, 2009

We attended “Sleep from Now On” on January 12th for our 14 month old son, and have had pretty good success with nighttime sleeps.  The longest he’s cried at bedtime is about 20 minutes and we’ve only had one middle of the night cry that lasted 50 minutes, most nights he now cries less than 5 minutes at bedtime and if at all in the night, just for a few minutes.  So nights are going well.

Days (naps) on the other hand are going horribly!!!  It’s awful.  We’ve had 8 days of trying and though I would expect it to take a while for long naps to develop, we’re getting next to NO napping leaving me with a very tired little boy and a heartbroken frustrated mommy. 

At night he knows what’s coming and coming as the end of the bedtime routine and starts to whimper and fret a little bit but not badly, at nap time, I say we’re going to go upstairs and he’s crying before we even sit down to read a story, he dread’s it and is so tense about it.  I do not go in during nap time until I’m getting him up so it’s not like he figures I came the one time, maybe I’ll come again. 

Do you have any words of wisdom or advice?  What else can I do? 
Please help,
Kathy & Ian Hunt (and nap-less boy Ben)

Hi Kathy,

You’ve made a fantastic effort and I agree—it’s hard to know why naps are so hard for him when his bedtime and overnights are excellent.  One solution worth trying is to put him down 15 minutes earlier for each nap.  There are “windows” for sleep and once some children go past that window it becomes impossible for them to fall asleep easily.  Try this for a few days and if it does not make any difference, perhaps you can contact me via my email counseling and we can work in more detail on this problem. 
-Kitty

By Kathy Hunt on January 21, 2010

Hi Kathy,

This is very unusual and mysterious.  While you do not mention the times you are putting him down for his nap, I would guess the ideal times would be from 9-11 AM and again from 1:30 to 3 PM.  If by chance your times are different, I would like to suggest you try my times.  Especially if he is already cranky on the way to his nap, it may be that he is already overtired, which always means we’ve missed a window.

Because this is not the best avenue for me to help solve this puzzle, please write me at info@raymondparenting so we can decide if an Ask Kitty question will do or if we need to set up a Telephone Counseling appointment.

By Kitty Raymond on February 22, 2010

Greetings!

I have been meaning to write for over a year now about our experience with
Ms. Raymond and the “Sleep From Now On” seminar.

I suffered with severe PPD after the birth of my daughter in June 2009. By
October 2009, I felt that I no longer wanted to be a parent because I was
getting no rest due to poor sleep habits. My daughter was waking every hour
and regardless of how many books I read and who I talked to, I could not
find relief. I heard about the Raymond parenting seminars from several
parents who had success. My husband and I signed up for a November course.
We began the training immediately. After three nights, our “colicky and
fussy” baby was sleeping through the night. After three weeks, she was
napping in her crib regularly. Apart from times of illness, she has never
needed us during the night since (she is now 21 months). To this day, I
routinely tell new and expecting parents I meet about the course. I have
also given a review to my doctor (who actually recommended the course but
had no feedback from parents prior).

Although difficult to do, the techniques taught in the seminar are
incredibly effective if there is consistancy and both partners are on board.
I can’t thank Ms. Raymond enough.

We are now expecting a second child and will be registering for the “Sleep
from the Start” seminar very shortly.

By E. on March 15, 2011

Hi Kitty! 

I attended your Sleep seminar on February 8, 2011. I was the one with all the questions.

The first day I wasn’t sure this was going to work for me and I thought to
myself (although sleep deprived) she is sleeping all the time when do I get
to be with her! But I can’t THANK you enough for helping me see what is best
for my daughter she’s happy, smiley and babbles/sings all the time!

You’re right NOW the time I do get to spend with her in quality time, I’m so
happy and not tired that I want to play and be with her and I find I’m NOT
trying to put her in all the activity “machines” we have just to get a
break! Kitty Your an Angel!! Keep up your great work and I’m sure I’ll see
you in the other seminars as she grows

By Kitty on March 15, 2011

Hi Kitty,

I just wanted to take a moment and thank you so very much for your wonderful sleep manuals and information.  I have an 11 month old little boy, who has been sleeping through the night since 7 weeks and takes excellent naps.  He’s the envy of all of my mother friends and I have become the sleep expert in the group.

I battled post-partum depression in the early weeks of my son being born.  Part of the reason, I believe, for my depression was lack of sleep on my part.  I purchased “the manual” and had Jameson on a great schedule that made the whole family happy.  Once I started sleeping better (since he was sleeping great) I became a more confident, happy and engaged mother, which I think has benefited my son tremendously.

I also have to say that I appreciate so much the information you have presented re: bottle vs. breastfeeding.  I think it is a well balanced approach that you offer to mothers on how to nourish your child, keep your sanity and maintain family harmony.

Thanks again! (received via email)

By Kitty on March 15, 2011

My husband and I came to your sleep seminar with our parents about 2 years
ago. Our little guy was just 12 pounds. Your sleep seminar changed our lives
and set our son on a sleeping journey that is every parents dream. It took
the 3 days, my crying and my husband having to remind me that it needs to
happen for it to work.

Fast forward two years and a fall out of the crib (Christopher is fine), but
it made us aware that we needed to move him into a big boy bed. So, I
thought it would all go like magic, after all he is a mothers dream child
for sleeping in a crib…..Not so much!!!!!!

Yesterday was day 3 of trying to do it ourselves (what seminar…) Yesterday
was such a breaking point for me, our son would just laugh at me when I went
in to put him back into bed. Each night was 2.5 to 3 hours of constant “go
to bed”. We took all loose items out of his room…turned his dresser around
and spent one night having two baths, because he thought his diaper cream
had to be smeared all over him, his dresser and our carpet. I was at my wits
end last night and dreading tonights bedtime ritual.

Sometime between last night and today, I promised myself that I would
re-read the notes from your “sleep from now on” seminar. I was bound and
determined and managed to convince myself that I could last another 3
days…..after all that is how long Kitty said it would take.

So, up went the baby gate across the door and I set the timer for 45
minutes, I had to go back because of all the destructive stuff he had done.
Well, this is how it played out. He opened the door, stood at the gate and
called for mommy and daddy, we didin’t go up. He then got upset and started
to cry. At 45 minutes, I went up, put him into bed crying and said “good
night….it’s bed time…I love you…see you in the morning.” closed the
door…45 minutes later….he was asleep. Yes it is only day 1, but what a
difference from yesterdays day 3.

So, long story short…always go back to your notes, and remember….Kitty’s
seminar worked once…it will work again….and it has!!!!!!!!

Thanks for leading us on the right path again!!!!!!!

(Received via email, posted by Kitty)

By Kitty on March 15, 2011

Hi Kitty,
So I can’t believe I am wondering about this.. our baby is now over 3months and 12 lbs so we did start the sleep program and it worked like a charm! He had a though first few days but know he is on about day 6 and he is sleeping for the full nap time and putting him self back to sleep when he wakes up. He will sleep for more than the 2hrs of the nap period though , should I leave him to wake up on his own or go and get him at the 2hr mark? He will sleep anyware from 1/2 to and hour or more extra.

By TR. on August 11, 2011

Dear Kitty,
We attended your “Sleep From Now On” seminar yesterday.  The amount of stress you have taken off our household is incredible.  I’m looking forward to everyone getting more sleep but I’m also feeling a huge amount of stress lift off my shoulders from some of the other things you said.  You are the voice of reason & logic.  Everything you said made sense to me.  Funny story: I was so sleep deprived I actually showed up to this seminar a day early.  We got a babysitter & drove across town only to show up to an empty parking lot!!  Thanks so much for your seminar.

By A.R. on November 9, 2011

I should have written a review long ago too!!  My daughter is 2 years old now and I attended Kitty’s seminar when my daughter was 5 months old.  I was losing my mind and my daughter would wake up every 2 hours.  Thankfully I attended the seminar and the sleep training worked wonders.  It took the three nights but I have to say it was the best thing I ever did.  She has been sleeping through the night ever since.  I have to admit it was hard but it was so worth it.  She is such a good sleeper.  The naps took longer probably about 3 months to get them really down but she naps amazingly too.  I tell all my friends about your seminar and your methods and can’t imagine being sleep deprived for two years.  Thank you so much Kitty!! Truly amazing. 

I will be attending your toilet training seminar soon!!!

Thank you for telling others what a big difference good sleep made for your family.  See you at Toilet Learning the Easy Way!
-Kitty

By Chiara on February 1, 2012

Thank you so much for your help. I cannot believe the difference a week (not even a week!) has made in both her and my life. What a gift this has been to both of us.
She is so much calmer now. The poor thing must have been so sleep deprived. I definitely plan to pass your name along to friends…I am in total support of sleep training!

By D.M. (Calgary Parent) on March 2, 2012