News

Bundles for Babies class helps military expectant parents prepare for child-rearing journey

  • Published
  • By Holly Logan-Arrington
  • Robins Public Affairs

Expecting a baby is often exciting, but planning for one can be stressful.

Fortunately, the Air Force Aid Society will offer expectant and new parents in the U.S. Armed Forces the Bundles for Babies class in January 2021 to help prepare them for their parental journey.

Angelica Williams, a community readiness consultant at the Robins Airman and Family Readiness Center and the Air Force Aid Society officer here, said the class is intended for expectant parents but may be extended to parents of newborns or babies up to four months old.

“Our popular Bundles for Babies class is designed to teach soon-to-be and new parents basic parenting skills, as well as essential financial skills, to help them budget for their new baby, from birth to college,” she said. “The class is also a great opportunity to connect with other expectant parents on base.”

During the quarterly class, the 78th Medical Group Pediatric and Dental Clinics, Tricare, Robins Health Promotion, Robins New Parent Support Parent Program, and Robins Family Advocacy representatives will brief expectant military parents on caring for children.

Bundles for Babies is open to all ranks of service and is not limited to a first pregnancy.

Williams said active duty families expecting a child or with a newborn, to include Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard are eligible, if they are on Title 10 orders for more than 15 days, to receive a $50 gift card from AFAS and a tote, if they are assigned to an Air Force installation and attend a Bundles for Babies class.

In October 1996, Headquarters Air Force Aid Society launched the test program, “Bundles for Babies,” to address the specific needs of young parents.

“Our goal was to build a program with a distinctive Airman and Family Readiness Center flavor, one that conveyed AFAS assistance and at the same time gave the personal financial managers the opportunity to intervene with pro-active classes on topics such as budgeting for baby,” Williams said.

Bundles for Babies began at 26 bases and continues to grow.

Williams said the popular class fills quickly, so those wishing to attend should register soon.

To learn more about other classes and programs offered by the Airman and Family Readiness Center, follow the Robins Airman and Family Readiness Center Facebook page or call the center’s front desk at 478-926-1256.

For more information about the Air Force Aid Society and its programs visit www.AFAS.Org.