Free support for new mothers
This week I will gather new moms from Portland to Vancouver (and in between) on Zoom and we will have an honest talk about newborn life. We will share ups and downs and realities of what life is like during the massive transformation of the brain when a new baby takes over. I do this every week in a new moms group Provided by Providence as a free service to the community. Here is why it works.
New moms are hungry for connection. Doing this new work is overwhelming, takes so much effort, and often feels isolating. When a facilitator gathers and creates space for conversation, exploration of experiences and feelings, and a place to share struggles and celebrations, moms naturally want to show up and connect with each other.
Zoom meetings mean you can attend even if you aren’t feeling great, or your baby has a runny nose. It means that we get to mute our cameras and voices when baby is fussy so we can hear the other mamas sharing, and so we can take breaks when needed. It means no packing up, no fussy baby in a car seat, and being able to feed baby in whatever manner works at the time. It means you can join us while visiting family, while taking a trip, or even when you are back to work if you just want to say hi and check in. While we can’t help each other practically via zoom, there are many benefits to gathering virtually.
Free is also a very good price. Allows us to gather regardless of resources. A place where all are equal in access and doesn’t have to be budgeted, other than time. We are so grateful to Providence Health System for this service to our community.
Everyone gets a chance to share. You don’t have to show up happy. Or dressed well (or at all actually). You can cry or pump milk or bounce your baby the whole time. You can be tired, you can be frustrated. And you can be elated, well rested, and feeling confident. No rules to break or things to feel guilty about. We gather and you get a chance to ask questions, answer questions, and support each other.
Gathering is just a starting point. These moms connect with each other during the week too. They text, they DM, and they meet up to walk their babies or grab coffee. They know the value of in person connection too, and the group provides a venue to begin a relationship they can build on.
For me the richest part of group is that I get to be a part of the lives and hear the stories of new moms. I hear their wins, their highest achievements and biggest moments of pride. I also get to hear what slows them down, tries to knock them down, and what they are climbing over. I get to both commiserate and celebrate with these awesome humans who have made the cutest little people!
If you are in the Portland or Vancouver metro areas and want to join us, the link to register is here: https://events.providence.org/event?readableEventId=New_Moms_Group_Live_Virtual1973231908.
We meet Thurs from 10-11:30 PST, and all are welcome. Even outside of Providence or outside of our local area, you can join us. However if you want to build connection in your own local area reach out the hospital systems in your city and begin building up a circle of moms you can share with too.