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Barbara C.
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| Posted: April 16 2009 at 3:14pm | IP Logged
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About five years ago, a friend bought me the Home Study Course from the Couple to Couple League International. I looked through the book, but I didn't like it as well as Taking Charge of Your Fertility for actually learning method. However, I did really like their chart books and the magazine.
I feel the need to really brush up on my NFP. I'm really debating. I know that the CCLI had revamped their home instruction book, supposedly making it way more user friendly. And you can order just the book for under $30. The full home instruction kit runs for around $150 and includes the magazine subscription and some other goodies in addition to the text book. A local class with a teaching couple runs about $130 and does not include everything in the home instruction kit and you have to go to three classes over three months.
My concerns are two-fold: time and cost. My baby will be turning one soon, and I intend to wean her over the summer. This will mean the possible return of my fertility in as soon as two months.
As for the cost, just buying the new text book is the cheapest option, but does anyone have any experience of the new book compared to the old book? And if you do three classes with a teaching couple is it basically methods at the first meeting and chart review at the other two? And is that worth the money and time?
Thanks for any experience, insights, opinions in advanced.
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
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SaraP
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| Posted: April 16 2009 at 7:21pm | IP Logged
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Congratulations and welcome home to your DH! My DH was baptized and confirmed last Easter and I am still over the moon about it.
I have been an NFP teacher (Billings Method) for almost 10 years and think the new CCL book is a big improvement over the old one. It's a less overwhelming format and the changes they have made to the method itself are also good ones (and the CCL version of the symptothermal method is now a much, MUCH better one than the version presented in Taking Charge of Your Fertility).
Also, if you paid for (or someone else paid for and gave you) the full Home Instruction Course I believe you can call up any teaching couple and ask to attend any of their classes or have them review your charts, for free, anytime you want to and I would DEFINITELY take advantage of at least a couple of chart reviews if you have a local teaching couple.
NFP can be entirely self-taught - particularly if you have very regular cycles - but the return of fertility after breastfeeding is notoriously tricky and having the guidance of someone who has seen lots and lots of charts can make a big difference in your confidence and in the effectiveness of the method. It's just too easy to misunderstand one seemingly little thing that is actually extremely important.
God bless!
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Mama to six on earth, two in heaven and two waiting in Russia. Foxberry Farm Almanac
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LisaR
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| Posted: April 16 2009 at 7:42pm | IP Logged
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buy the new book, and the supplement for returning to fertility postpartum.
If you and dh can be diligent enough to read together and do all of the "homework" contained in the book, you should be fine.
this new book is a VAST improvement over the old.
then, just call, email me or PM me if you have questions.
I've been teaching since 1997, and while I would first and foremost advise a class series locally, I can understand that this might be a stress for you.
also, taking the class "live" DOES include everything that the home instruction kit, unless I'm doing something wrong 
oh, and the magazine has greatly improved as well. if you ever feel like you can swing it, you might enjoy the support.
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
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Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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LisaR
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| Posted: April 16 2009 at 7:44pm | IP Logged
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SaraP wrote:
Also, if you paid for (or someone else paid for and gave you) the full Home Instruction Course I believe you can call up any teaching couple and ask to attend any of their classes or have them review your charts, for free, anytime you want to and I would DEFINITELY take advantage of at least a couple of chart reviews if you have a local teaching couple.
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this is true! but if you just want to call up a teaching couple , I am certain they would not turn you away.
we get calls/emails all the time from couples who 'just bought the book" and it is quick and easy to offer some support/help. they just don't drop in our classes...
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Lisa
dh Tim '92
Joseph 17
Paul 14
Thomas 11
Dominic 8
Maria Gianna 5
Isaac Vincent 9/21/10! and...
many little saints in heaven!
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Barbara C.
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| Posted: April 21 2009 at 6:50pm | IP Logged
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Thanks for all the information. I'll order those books soon. (And I'll be sure to keep note of to whom to send my questions.) Sorry I didn't say so sooner...computer issues.
The difference listed between the home kit and the classes was that they now include the Marilyn Shannon book about cycles and nutrition in the home kit. That was not listed with my local teaching couples. That's a book I've wanted to read for awhile and I just got it from the library system. 
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Barbara
Mom to "spirited" dd(9), "spunky" dd (6), "sincere" dd (3), "sweet" dd (2), and baby girl #5 born 8/1/12!!
Box of Chocolates
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dawn2006
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| Posted: April 21 2009 at 7:39pm | IP Logged
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I think it's worth it. I just finished the third class this past Sunday. I am currently in the middle of my 4th postpartum cycle and it is the FIRST one that looks normal. My last three cycles spanned 5 or 6 months and were sooo wonky. It (knowing the method) can save your peace of mind when your cycles are returning, especially if you're breastfeeding (as I am). There is a postpartum booklet that my teaching couple lent me and it was exactly what I needed when I had some breakthrough bleeding and was really confused. I had been doing the Creighton method for years but wanted the temperature cross-check.
I'm not familiar with the previous CCL materials but I can say the current stuff is very clear and I thought well laid out. I gave TCOYF to a friend of mine after the first STM class. Good luck making your decision.
(For a funny thing my instructor said during our last class go here ...)
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Dawn Farias | wife to Ariel | mom to Gabriel 9, Daniel 7, Elizabeth 5, and Michael 3 | blogger at Be Absorbed | native Texan but currently living near Seattle
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4Real Forums : Mothering and Family Life
Topic: CCLI/NFP Advice?
