Is "Nurturing" a US word ?

[pupuce]

Hello everyone,

I am testing something on my British friends..... is the word nurturing a US (mainly) word or would you use it ? and do you understand it ?
I am thinking of calling my UK doula "business" : Nurturing families because it's really about that... but maybe people won't understand it....
Thank you for your opinions

[bundle]

Pupuce, I understand it, but it's a bit 'wordy' and doesn't exactly hit home with what you're about...ie it's a bit vague, & I suppose you want people to know immediately what the business is about. maybe I'm just being a bit picky

[pupuce]

Thanks Bundle,

Well my business is mainly doulaing (birth and post natal), ante natal yoga classes and post natal exercise classes + special evening discussions for couple (usually pre-birth).

If you have any suggestion- they are more than welcome. The word "mother" and "mothering" is used by quite a few doulas but I find they restrict it to the mother and I want to offer support to the whole family (obviously mainly the mum).

[WideWebWitch]

Pupuce, I don't think nurturing is a US word - I'd use it, albeit not often. For me it conjures up images of parents looking after their children, comfort baking, looking after house plants (am I weird?!) that kind of thing. Not sure if it's very memorable though?

[bundle]

I see Pupuce.
I suppose then the whole thing centres around 'birth' rather than 'mothering' - maybe there's a good alternative to birthing/arrival etc????

[MotherofOne]

Pupuce - think the word is understood OK, - for me it conjures up the following:

• more than just 'looking after' - more like 'looking after/ caring and developing'
  
• encompasses all those things like physical, emotional, nutritional 'needs'
  
• it is however (IMHO) very 'middle class' (probably a good thing for Tunbridge Wells ?) (Can say this with a wry smile as I am just along the road in Surrey!)
  
  A new baby shop opened up near us recently, and their strapline is 'Nuturing babies naturally' - their "proposition" is to only sell 'wholesome/organic/enviro-friendly/etc etc products' (Not sure whether it's attracted enough of a critical mass of customers to make it a success yet actually...)
  Good luck with the development of the new business.

[Marina]

I think sobernow's idea is BRILLIANT, Pupuce, I'd definitely consider it! Nurturing is a word with lovely connotations but I don't think it is widely enough used - Motherofalmosttwo has got the "middle-classness" of it right!

[pupuce]

I like your suggestion sobernow but it is too wide... it doesn't really apply to breastfeeding, ante natal classes and labour IYKWIM.... It could be for refugees as well for example !

Yes it may be middle class (didny think so but you guys are better judge of this)... and I do like the organic connotations...

This is tricky isn't it ???

[janh]

Mo1-2, haven't you had it yet?

[MotherofOne]

Janh- No - still hanging in there! (boo hoo)
Malmomum & I are providing a minute by minute commentary on progress (not much in my case!) on the Mums-to-be thread!!!

[soothepoo]

Pupuce - I've been thinking about this off and on all day. Nurture is a lovely word, as others have said, and it sounds a bit like nature soooo.... how about Mamma Nurture? I know this doesn't include the whole family idea, but I thought I would post it anyway

[MotherofOne]

Pupuce - sorry - probably didn't make it clear in my post - I like the word 'nuture' too - it has the right sort of connatations. My comment about 'middle-classness' wasn't a negative - more of an observation. Probably your business would have a fairly strong middle class bias to it anyway, purely from an economic point of view (i.e. who might be able to afford such services?)

[MotherofOne]

Whoops - spelling - of course I mean 'nuRture'

[ScummyMummy]

"Go Doulally"

?

[ionesmum]

Hi, pupuce. Mamma Nurture sounds very memorable. Or what about Holistic Families?

Good luck with the business. I wish you'd been there to nurture us!

[MotherofOne]

LOL - ScummyMummy
(Are you sure your new job isn't as a copywriter?)

[pupuce]

You guys are fab - if anything I am having a good old laugh at your suggestions... I will be thinking about them and may go with some combination. I will keep you posted anyway. More suggestions welcome of course.

BTW - I like the word holistic a lot but I think that would "definitely" alienate some. And for the middle-class thing : I agree but I WISH I could do this work for anyone who wanted it. Actually I am doing 4 births for free - if you know anyone in West Kent who is looking for a free doula - let me know ! (my HV may send me mums who could not normally afford it and would benefit from it).

[pupuce]

Oh BTW Mother of almost 2..... Who can afford a doula... well it isn't that expensive.... Doulas start at 250 GBP for pre birth consult + birth + post natal consult. How much does it cost to replace your tyres ????
Ante natal classes are usually 5GBP.

BTW I am not having a go at your middle-class comment at all - just sharing price information.

[MotherofOne]

Pupuce - wow - that IS very accessible for all groups of people then... as you suggest - it's also about priorities and how much someone would really value that sort of service - when you start comparing it to the cost of say, holidays, or new furniture (or tyres!) it suddenly seems money well spent!
(You're more than welcome to come and practice all your post-natal stuff on me in the coming weeks )

[SofiaAmes]

I put in a loud vote for Mamma Nurture. I think it's a great name!
I think the majority of people looking for a doula would be lower middle class and up. If my husband's two ex's (council house, unmarried, benefit mums) are anything to go by quitting smoking/drinking while pregnant isn't even on the agenda, much less doula's etc. And as far as tyres and holidays, neither even drive, much less have a car and certainly can't afford to go on holiday. I don't think they'd be interested in a doula even if someone else paid for it.

[pupuce]

Good suggestions Sobernow

Nurture Natalia - why Natalia ?
Birth and Beyond - I don't know why but the first thig that came to mind when I read that one was Death and beyond... is it just me.

You are definitely very creative

[jasper]

V interesting.
Mamma nurture is a great name IMO.
Personally the word "holistic" sends me running as it is a bit if an up your bahookie ( forgive me, I'm Scottish) concept,and for me it has holier than thou connotations. What the heck does "holistic" actually mean??
(don't answer that, I know what it means)