Beech Street Parenting - Portland, Oregon

Rose M.

My partner and I took Courtney's live parenting prep course this past April. This course exceeded our expectations and we learned so much about what type of parents we want to be. Courtney is kind and intelligent and provided excellent follow-up resources also. I've signed up for her substack, which is awesome too, and would 100% take her classes if I lived in Portland. Would highly recommend for any parents to be!

Carson K.

Courtney's parenting group was awesome, only wish we were in person and there was more! We can't wait for our daughter to be born so that we can enroll in baby classes. As a new parent (me) and a repeat (my partner's fourth), we both found the sessions valuable and affirming.

Krista N.

How to describe the life-changing magic of Beech Street Parenting playgroups? My husband and I started with Courtney’s Parenting Prep Class when I was pregnant, and it presented a calm, respectful style of parenting that I’d never heard of before. It quite literally changed the way I parent my daughter with only three short classes. After my daughter was born, we joined playgroups. The instant friendships, connection with other parents, support from Courtney, direction and examples of how to provide a calm play environment for babies, and pleasant space to come to every week — it made our transition to parenthood an incredibly positive experience. My daughter, now almost 2, can name every child in her playgroup with joy and tell little stories about them. She’s known some of them since she was 3 months old! I feel incredibly grateful that Beech Street exists and that my daughter has real friendships — and that I’ve made some deep, lifelong friendships with other parents. Courtney has created a magical space that provides instant, much-needed community for us overwhelmed new parents. Wish I could give her 10 stars!

Mary A.

We’ve absolutely loved coming to playgroups with Courtney! We’ve been attending for almost a year now, and it’s been such a valuable experience. Connecting with other parents has been incredibly helpful for me, and my son has really benefited from building friendships with kids his age. Courtney does an amazing job creating a safe, welcoming environment for both play and community. We look forward to group every single week.

One of the best parts has been the connections we’ve made with other like-minded parents. It’s inspiring to watch our young children interact with so much respect and care for one another—it’s truly a reflection of the intentional parenting happening in this space. I didn’t know much about RIE (or really anything at all) before joining, but it has completely shaped how I parent now. It just makes sense and feels so right.

Our first several sessions, my son wasn’t crawling or walking like many of the other kids—but after each class, we’d see a little more confidence as he tried new things once we got home. If you’re not sure which group is the best fit based on your child’s mobility, just reach out to Courtney—she’ll help you find the right one.

I honestly wish I had found these groups earlier in our parenting journey. I’d recommend them to anyone! One of the things that makes them stand out from other baby and toddler activities is the 90-minute format—it really gives the kids time to warm up and start playing at their own pace.

Today, my very cautious little guy—who’s been glued to me since birth and won’t usually let anyone else hold him—walked right into the space and gave Courtney a hug that lasted five full minutes. Then gave several more throughout class and sat on the laps/hugged several of the other parents. Those moment made me feel so much gratitude for this space!Having a facilitator who creates such a safe and loving space has been such a gift for our family. I think my inner child gets a little healing each week we attend.

Madeline S.

Sign up! For a parenting class, playgroup, or the insightful newsletter on Substack — all are wonderful offerings that have enriched my early parenting journey.

Our BSP playgroup has felt essential to my experience of new motherhood — space for little ones to explore, parents to reflect, and families to find their village.

Courtney is a uniquely skilled facilitator — intelligent, relatable, and genuinely passionate about parenting. Her knowledge is vast — and shared with such openness, humor, and equanimity — that it has been deeply empowering. I appreciate Courtney’s discernment and how she models generosity, restraint, and being attuned.

Lauren H.

As a first time parent, the online parenting prep course really opened my eyes for what to expect with a newborn, and provided tools to empower me as a mom and embrace my individual parenting style. At three months in I still refer back to resources and guides received in class.

I’m also attending infant play group, which has been such an important space to begin comfortably bringing my baby out into the world, practice feeding, changing, etc. in ‘public’. Courtney provides space to bond with your baby and other parents, while weaving in teachings in a way that feels very natural.

Thankful to have her guidance and knowledge on this new journey!

RoseMarie W.

We’ve been going to the playgroups off and on since our kid was 6 months old (she’s almost 3) and it’s such a nice environment for the kids to play and for the adults to connect and learn about RIE. I’m definitely a better parent for it and I’ve made some social friends too. Courtney is awesome and she is truly passionate about what she does.

Corinne M.

After taking Courtney's parenting prep series, I feel so much more confident and grounded as an imminent first time parent! Her calm and gentle demeanor with little ones definitely translates in her teaching style. Lots of head nodding and "ah-ha!" moments throughout the series, I can't wait to learn more from her once our little one hits the scene and we can join Courtney's play group. Would highly recommend!!

Melissa W.

Courtney’s playgroups offer such a sweet opportunity to spend intentional time with your child in a space that feels safe, supportive, and helps encourage independent play. Courtney has a natural groundedness and calm and my daughter felt so comfortable that she often wanted to sit in her lap. She is attentive as she helps the toddlers explore their curiosity in the space (and toward each other) in a way that keeps them safe, affirmed, and comfortable. I have been taking my 2-year-old daughter for over 6 months now and it is such a boost to our weeks! I love having the anchor of something social for both of us to do. It's truly feels so supportive to arrive at a space that is completely designed with small kids in mind (a "yes!" space) and to know that I get to know my daughter better with the additional supportive eyes and hands of Courtney and other caring parents. Highly recommend signing up!

Rose M.

My partner and I took Courtney's live parenting prep course this past April. This course exceeded our expectations and we learned so much about what type of parents we want to be. Courtney is kind and intelligent and provided excellent follow-up resources also. I've signed up for her substack, which is awesome too, and would 100% take her classes if I lived in Portland. Would highly recommend for any parents to be!

Carson K.

Courtney's parenting group was awesome, only wish we were in person and there was more! We can't wait for our daughter to be born so that we can enroll in baby classes. As a new parent (me) and a repeat (my partner's fourth), we both found the sessions valuable and affirming.

Krista N.

How to describe the life-changing magic of Beech Street Parenting playgroups? My husband and I started with Courtney’s Parenting Prep Class when I was pregnant, and it presented a calm, respectful style of parenting that I’d never heard of before. It quite literally changed the way I parent my daughter with only three short classes. After my daughter was born, we joined playgroups. The instant friendships, connection with other parents, support from Courtney, direction and examples of how to provide a calm play environment for babies, and pleasant space to come to every week — it made our transition to parenthood an incredibly positive experience. My daughter, now almost 2, can name every child in her playgroup with joy and tell little stories about them. She’s known some of them since she was 3 months old! I feel incredibly grateful that Beech Street exists and that my daughter has real friendships — and that I’ve made some deep, lifelong friendships with other parents. Courtney has created a magical space that provides instant, much-needed community for us overwhelmed new parents. Wish I could give her 10 stars!

Mary A.

We’ve absolutely loved coming to playgroups with Courtney! We’ve been attending for almost a year now, and it’s been such a valuable experience. Connecting with other parents has been incredibly helpful for me, and my son has really benefited from building friendships with kids his age. Courtney does an amazing job creating a safe, welcoming environment for both play and community. We look forward to group every single week.

One of the best parts has been the connections we’ve made with other like-minded parents. It’s inspiring to watch our young children interact with so much respect and care for one another—it’s truly a reflection of the intentional parenting happening in this space. I didn’t know much about RIE (or really anything at all) before joining, but it has completely shaped how I parent now. It just makes sense and feels so right.

Our first several sessions, my son wasn’t crawling or walking like many of the other kids—but after each class, we’d see a little more confidence as he tried new things once we got home. If you’re not sure which group is the best fit based on your child’s mobility, just reach out to Courtney—she’ll help you find the right one.

I honestly wish I had found these groups earlier in our parenting journey. I’d recommend them to anyone! One of the things that makes them stand out from other baby and toddler activities is the 90-minute format—it really gives the kids time to warm up and start playing at their own pace.

Today, my very cautious little guy—who’s been glued to me since birth and won’t usually let anyone else hold him—walked right into the space and gave Courtney a hug that lasted five full minutes. Then gave several more throughout class and sat on the laps/hugged several of the other parents. Those moment made me feel so much gratitude for this space!Having a facilitator who creates such a safe and loving space has been such a gift for our family. I think my inner child gets a little healing each week we attend.