Margaret,
I've used lots of role playing in similar teaching workshops while doing
staff inservice or childbirth educator certification programs.  In the
situation you describe (cross training) its a great way to honor that staff
members have a wealth of knowledge to contribute (although sometimes it
could use some +-ACo-updating+-ACo-).  It makes the learning experience fun.
People
learn best when having a good time and when their experience is being valued
by others.  Retention of learned material will be far greater if
participants have the opportunity to +-ACo-practice by doing+-ACo- what
they've
learned asap after the material is introduced.

You could try having staff members role play the parts of staff and new
parents, perhaps even throwing in scenes in which other family members
(grandparents or siblings) or family friends are present.  Throw a physician
or two into the mix, perhaps a visiting ob or pediatrician.  Try to create
scenarios which will help portray the objectives you want to accomplish.
Give ample time for feedback, drawing out the participants or observers (if
you have a large group), asking open ended questions like +-ACo-What could
so
and
so have done differently?+-ACo-  +-ACo-What else might so and so have said
or
done?+-ACo-

You can really get into this and have lots of fun with it, perhaps passing a
note to a few of the participants who are role playing asking them to take
on certain behavior or attitudes.  For example asking the person playing the
dad to be adamant that he wants to be able to give bottles himself,  or the
person playing the mil who is visiting during the hospital stay to say
things that might undermine the new mom's confidence......  This would give
others the opportunity to practice dealing with these situations before they
have to confront them in person in real life.

Another thought on cross training:  Depending on group size, you may want to
break into two groups, or keep it as one.  If two, have one group brainstorm
a list of the disadvantages (or things they don't anticipate liking about
changing to an LDRPN situation).  Have the other group brainstorm a list of
things they see as advantages of the switch (+-ACo-It'll give us the
opportunity
to do such and such...+-ACo-).  Remind them that the Chinese character for
crisis
is the same as the character for opportunity.  Mostly, when faced with
crisis, we may feel somewhat threatened so we tense up and resist change,
clinging to that which is familiar.  The more involved we become in the
process of change, the more pro-active we are, the more investment we have
in its success, and the more likely the entire project is to be successful.

Have fun with it.  You're on the right track simply by being aware that
spoon feeding has disadvantages.  Good insight.
Joyce Blangiardo RN, FACCE, IBCLC
LamazeLady+-AEA-msn.com
Rockville Centre, NY