This edition of I’m Listening brings men into the equation and focuses on the mental wellness of all parents. It is my hope that we will switch our language to be more inclusive and I prefer the term parental mental health.
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Attend a Postpartum Action Institute Workshop in Santa Barbara and meet Jane. PAI is created for individuals who are committed to confronting the stigma of mental illness and the mythology surrounding new parenthood.
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I’m a mom and grandmother who understands how you may be feeling. I want to offer you support because no one was there for me when I went through this, and I want you to have a better experience.
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Embrace the Gaps in Your Past and Present
My intention is to listen to your stories and validate your experiences and feelings. My primary goal is to acknowledge and encourage you to find those who share how you feel and to support your dream to connect meaningfully with others. I am excited to share my four decades of life experience, research and insights that will guide you to make a confident impact in your life and your community. I will provide affirmation, guidance and support, along with practical and proven strategies to navigate you through your life challenges. Everyone needs reassurance and clarity to create a vision for their life and to feel connected and fulfilled. I am here to help you define that vision in a way that is consistent with who you truly are. Together we’ll develop strategies to enable you to achieve your own unique objectives and achieve a lasting sense of affirmation. We will commit to moving forward with courage and patience as you face the challenges that create ‘the Gap’ in your life.
Embrace the New Parent Gap Challenges
Many years ago, I was pregnant, single and alone. I gave birth in a foreign country, and never saw my baby. I had no emotional support. Several years later, I was happily married, and we got pregnant. I gave birth with a supportive husband but away from extended family and friends. We had no emotional support. These contrasting, yet similar, experiences motivate me to offer comfort, encouragement and guidance to new families. There are, however, major gaps in helping new families in our communities. Read more
Embrace the Gap in Support for New Fathers
I have been hearing the voices of new fathers since I became a mother myself, however, I wasn’t always listening. The first postpartum male voice I heard was that of my husband. Breastfeeding was not going well. He expressed exasperation, desperation and fear by saying, “you’re starving our baby”. I received lactation help but there was no emotional support for him. Read more
Challenge the New Family Gaps in Your Community
I initiated a radical social concept in the 1970s with my friends to support new families in our community. We were feminists and activists. We believed men and women shared equally in the conception, birthing and raising of our children. Read more
Five Ways to Seek Comfort and Guidance from Your Family History
Childhood curiosity got me interested in exploring family history. I was intrigued that my father’s family has been in America since the late 1690s. Read more
The Conception and Birth of PEP
“I have a woman on the line whose baby won’t stop crying, shall I put her through” the answering service operated asked. “Yes, please go ahead,” I replied as I prepared myself for my first PEP Warm Line call. Read more
