Interaction Agreements

The Interaction Agreements are here to create an inclusive, safe and clear space for our online learning and connecting. At times, our practice, lessons and this new phase of life can bring up strong reactionary emotions or challenge our belief systems.

Particularly with the depth and breadth of The Three Journeys (Pregnancy, Postpartum, 1st yrs of life) each of which individually have the potential to open our eyes to new ideas, or new ways of seeing ourselves, we may experience powerful awakenings which shake the very roots of what we think we know about ourselves and the world.

When we are willing to play with and be open to the ways of interacting in our community, there is tremendous opportunity for self-growth, growth in our family relationships, as well as our community beyond (physically, mentally and even spiritually). When we practice compassionate communication and willingness to learn with one another, it gives us the opportunity to practice new skills. In doing so, we engrain our own practices of compassion, allowing us to then model those within our families for our children as they grow with you. I am sure if you are anywhere within your Three Journeys, then you have already experienced that you are not only your child’s teacher/parent in life, but you are also a student of life, and being drawn outside of your comfort zone in a new way in the process.

These Agreements give guidance for the expectations around group communication and communication with Molly.

Should you fall out of integrity with these agreements, you will be reminded of the expectation and referred back here to review. Please read through each of the Interaction Agreements, and then in the comments of this document, make a statement of agreement that you understand the Interaction Agreements and are committed to being in integrity with them.

• I will participate from the context of the Beginner’s Mind. Beginner's Mind is a concept from Zen Buddhism which refers to having an attitude of openness, eagerness, and lack of preconceptions when studying a subject, even when studying at an advanced level, just as a beginner would. When I experience myself as not learning something, I will dig deeper and ask questions if necessary.
• I am here to learn. Within the container of this training, I will not use interactions as a way to make myself look good. I will not treat it as a competition. I will not use it to seek approval. I will not exploit the space we create by filling it with unsolicited demonstrations of what I perceive myself to already know.
• I will practice full transparency and integrity by communicating all questions and concerns in the group. If it concerns the course I will communicate within the course setting so that all may benefit from the answers.
• I will practice receptivity and gratitude for the considerable labor, time, and efforts used to create the possibility of my increased education and mastery, by EXPRESSING GRATITUDE for student shares, instructor offerings of information, requests for adjustments in my language or perspective, before asking questions, and before responding with comments.
• This community and the courses within have been curated and designed to have maximum impact and a lot of thought, research, time, and effort went into creating it for you. All discussions, content, conversations, and communications in this course are to be held in confidence, and not to be shared publicly outside of the group in any way, without the direct consent of Molly.
• I will participate in the creation of solidarity with my course mates. I will attend live sessions if possible. I will provide gentle accountability for my course mates in my participation in the group chats, discussions, and assignment participations.
• I will complete all assignments in the training and mark the “done” button on each one as I complete them.

Finally, I will treat this course as if I have entered a sacred space. I will respect these Interaction Agreements and treat them as sacred so long as I am in this space, and I will trust the process and practice self-observation of all of my reactions and responses so as to become more self-aware of how I show up in such scenarios. And I will observe, without self-judgment as much as I know-how.

This is not a religiously based space or offering. It is however woven with both science and spirituality as it relates to developmental, psychological, anatomical & relational experiences of Pregnancy, Postpartum and 1st year of life. Our community has members from around the globe and various religious and cultural experiences… this is part of the richness of our community.

It is our intention that our community is safe for paired, and single parents, as well as parents who identify with the LGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities. The goal of this community is to weave our common experiences as parents and humans while appreciating our differences. We all benefit from the richness beyond our own, limited cultural experiences… particularly as it pertains to your Three Journeys. Comments meant to belittle, degrade or disregard anyone will be given the opportunity to recognize and correct their hurtful communication. This is true of those shaming any form of parenting decisions as well.

In practicing compassionate communication, owning our own behavior, being vulnerable, and trying new things… we are learning what it is to be human within a collective village, and can therefore have more patience, tolerance and broader set of tools for our children as they grow throughout life.