Support Group meetings for December:
Saturday, December 11 at 10am
Tuesday, December 28 at 7pm
Call the Support Line, 614-315-8989 or email tonya@poemonline.org for more information.
Sunday, December 5, 2010
Monday, November 15, 2010
Next Support Group Meeting
The next POEM Columbus Support Group meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 30, 7pm at Northwest Counseling Services. Call the Support Line, 614.315.8989 for questions or more information.
THANK YOU to the caller who pointed out the incorrect date in the last post! I just got your message and will call you in the morning.
THANK YOU to the caller who pointed out the incorrect date in the last post! I just got your message and will call you in the morning.
Friday, November 5, 2010
November Support Group Meetings
POEM Columbus Support Group Meetings for November are scheduled for -
Saturday, November 13 at 10am
Tuesday, November 26 at 7pm
Both meetings are held at Northwest Counseling Services, 1560 Fishinger Rd. Columbus, 43221
CLICK HERE FOR MAP LINK
Call the Support Line, 614-315-8989, with any questions or concerns.
Saturday, November 13 at 10am
Tuesday, November 26 at 7pm
Both meetings are held at Northwest Counseling Services, 1560 Fishinger Rd. Columbus, 43221
CLICK HERE FOR MAP LINK
Call the Support Line, 614-315-8989, with any questions or concerns.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Upcoming Support Group Meetings
I'm not sure why our map & meeting dates aren't showing up right beside here... Until it's fixed, here are our upcoming meeting dates & times for October:
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9 10AM
TUESDAY OCTOBER 26 7PM
We meet at Northwest Counseling Services
1560 Fishinger Rd
Columbus, 43221
CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO MAP/DIRECTIONS
Call the Support Line, 614-315-8989, if you have any questions.
SATURDAY OCTOBER 9 10AM
TUESDAY OCTOBER 26 7PM
We meet at Northwest Counseling Services
1560 Fishinger Rd
Columbus, 43221
CLICK HERE FOR LINK TO MAP/DIRECTIONS
Call the Support Line, 614-315-8989, if you have any questions.
Friday, August 27, 2010
OSU recruiting participants for research studies
The Ohio State University Medical Center's Stress and Health in Pregnancy Program is currently recruiting participants for 3 studies. CLICK HERE to learn about this valuable research and see if you qualify to participate!
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Great Research from The OSU!
Click below for the link to the article:
Changing Thoughts Key To Battling Even Severe Depression
It’s okay to reach out for help.That’s why we’re here.
http://www.poemonline.org/
Changing Thoughts Key To Battling Even Severe Depression
It’s okay to reach out for help.That’s why we’re here.
http://www.poemonline.org/
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Friday, February 12, 2010
"Parents need to take care of themselves before they take care of a baby." - Jennifer Shu, pediatrician
A growing number of pediatricians are speaking up about the importance of looking at the health of their patient's parents. These great docs recognize how integral the health and well being of mom and dad are to the child. Here's a recent article in USA Today, Pediatricians often step in to treat new parents, too, featuring a few of these forward-thinking practitioners.
We are fortunate to see this same trend in our local pediatricians as well. The interest in addressing maternal mental health during recent educational presentations at Nationwide Children's Hospital Grand Rounds, NCH Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Olentangy Pediatrics have been some of the most vibrant and engaging we've encountered.
Not feeling like yourself? Speak up. Your child's pediatrician is listening.
It’s okay to reach out for help.
www.poemonline.org
We are fortunate to see this same trend in our local pediatricians as well. The interest in addressing maternal mental health during recent educational presentations at Nationwide Children's Hospital Grand Rounds, NCH Developmental Behavioral Pediatrics and Olentangy Pediatrics have been some of the most vibrant and engaging we've encountered.
Not feeling like yourself? Speak up. Your child's pediatrician is listening.
It’s okay to reach out for help.
www.poemonline.org
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Being the Expert of Your Own Life
This great article in Redbook Magazine by Ylonda Gault Caviness shares tips on reaching for confidence in your own mothering abilities. Her thoughts and words mesh well with a couple of POEM's well-worn philosophies: 1) Every mother is the expert of her own life. 2) Strength in mothering also comes from staying connected to the woman within. She also importantly mentions surrounding yourself with truly supportive people and while info from experts is important, don't go overboard.
"Am I a Good Enough Mom?"
You bet you are. And don't let anyone tell you different. Here's how to deflect anyone who tries to steal your mommy mojo.
By Ylonda Gault Caviness
When we first caught each other's gaze, the older woman gave me a tender, knowing smile. I guess I was awash in that bleary-eyed, new-mother glow. Or maybe it was my unhurried, aimless push of the stroller that signaled I was new at this mom thing. How kind of her to offer a reassuring gesture, I thought. The gentle lady came closer, peeking into the carriage. Suddenly, all sweetness faded. She glared at me and scolded: "No hat? That baby is going to catch her death of cold!"
I was mortified. In my heart, I know I shouldn't have let it bother me. But in my head, dueling emotional responses ranged from defiance — Who does that crotchety bat think she is? — to defeat — Maybe I'm not old enough, wise enough, or good enough to mother my child the right way.
By now, with three kids in tow, I've weathered just about every meddlesome opinion, disapproving eye, and outright countermand you can imagine from what I call the Parenting Peanut Gallery: the folks in your life who sit on the sidelines and heckle you with child-rearing judgments — or, even worse, flout your mom rules and policies behind your back — with no regard for your feelings or authority.
While these digs don't leave visible scarring, they can undercut your natural mothering instincts and leave you plain old fighting mad. "There is no shortage of people ready to pick apart your parenting skills," says Michele Borba, author of 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know. "It can be hurtful, but when you let them shake your confidence in who you are as a mom, that's when the real damage is done."The secret to being a great mother is believing in yourself. And one of the best ways to do that is to silence that Parenting Peanut Gallery, once and for all. Here's how:
Stand up for yourself.
Address criticism as soon as it happens, so you don't hold in your anger and let it fester. "We women spend a lot of time questioning whether something should or shouldn't make us angry instead of confronting our true feelings," says Borba. "Don't be rude, but let a criticizer know they've crossed a line."
It took many hits for me to finally figure out that in order to feel confident about my parenting, I had to put busybodies in their place. With my firstborn, I often let an off-the-cuff remark from an uppity mom on the playground go seemingly unnoticed, so as not to make a scene. But afterward, I'd be burning up inside. Nowadays, I don't let people get away with offering up annoying advice, and I've managed to come up with some pretty witty retorts. Recently, a nanny at the playground said to me rather haughtily, "Hot sauce will get your son to stop sucking his fingers." I forced a smile and answered: "Thanks. He's not yet 2, but if he's still sucking them at 22, I'll take you up on that."
Not so quick with a comeback? Bria Simpson, author of The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, suggests using this easy script: "I know you have different ideas about parenting. I respect yours and I need you to respect mine."
Use ammo from the experts.
Your instincts are your best handbook to mothering. But it doesn't hurt to arm yourself with informed guidance. Read a book or two — but not 20. Consult your pediatrician. Talk to friends whose parenting styles you admire. "Mix and match to arrive at your own style," says Debbie Glasser, Ph.D., founder of newsforparents.org. "When you find out what works for you, you won't be so vulnerable to the push and pull of outsiders."
And when you really want to get the quibblers off your back, never underestimate the power of these three words: "My pediatrician says...." With that preface you get instant cred, even if you say that your baby is allergic to mauve. Seriously.
Get your guy on your side.
Most nights, around 8 p.m., you'll find me issuing orders like a traffic cop: "Put your homework in your backpacks. Take a shower. Brush your teeth." Some nights everything clicks, and by 8:30 everyone is ready to go night-night. But other nights, my husband derails my system by offering horseback rides, telling jokes, or regaling the kids with stories about his childhood. Sometimes I find this kind of sweet. But most of the time, it just eats me up.
"Spousal sabotage is a big complaint from moms — who often play 'bad cop' by default when dads just want to have fun," says Simpson. Avoid chastising your partner in front of the kids in the heat of the moment. "That kind of squabbling undermines both parents' authority and teaches kids to play you against each other," she explains. Instead, pull your guy aside and quietly explain that his actions undercut your efforts. Then suggest alternatives to his rowdy behavior, such as reading a book with the children or participating in what you're doing so he's not sabotaging you. Later, follow up with him — make sure you're still on the same page about house rules and remind him how crucial it is that you maintain a united parenting front.
Meanwhile, it's also critical to remain somewhat flexible — especially when your kids are at a friend's or relative's house. "When you model flexibility, children learn positive lessons about problem-solving," says Elizabeth Berger, M.D., a child psychiatrist and the author of Raising Kids with Character. Gina Williams, 41, a mom in Glenn Dale, MD, is adamantly against TV and video games, and so far her strident house rule has held up. But when her two sons — Zion, 6, and Dylan, 2 — visit Grandma, they're treated to a screen-time bonanza: television, video, handheld games, you name it. Instead of fighting with her mother, however, Gina softened up her rule. "I focus on the things I can control in my own house," she says. "I just say, 'What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's.'"
Ditch the people who bring you down.
Feeling a certain amount of self-doubt about our mothering is normal, says Borba. But when your friends actually add to your parenting insecurity, it might be time to find a new mommy group. For Patty Kamson, 44, a nearly 20-year friendship had to end because her pal kept criticizing her parenting skills. "She thought I was soft on my kids and had no qualms voicing her opinion," says Patty, who lives in Los Angeles. While the criticisms never led Patty to change her mothering style, there were times when "I wondered, What if she's right?" she says. But when Patty's daughter had a meltdown during a get-together, her now former friend "began to lay into me about how my kids and I need to toughen up," she says. So Patty cut her loose. "Riding you about how you mother? Nothing cuts deeper than that," she explains. "I feel better about my parenting — and myself — without that toxic relationship."
Stay true to you.
All mommy, all the time isn't good for your kids, and it isn't good for you either. To keep your own inner voice from being drowned out by the cacophony from underminers, you have to stay connected to the woman you were before you became a mom. Taking just 15 minutes a day for yourself for some quiet reflection will help you hone and trust your instincts. "You're much less affected by what others say if you trust your own gut," says Simpson.
"Am I a Good Enough Mom?"
You bet you are. And don't let anyone tell you different. Here's how to deflect anyone who tries to steal your mommy mojo.
By Ylonda Gault Caviness
When we first caught each other's gaze, the older woman gave me a tender, knowing smile. I guess I was awash in that bleary-eyed, new-mother glow. Or maybe it was my unhurried, aimless push of the stroller that signaled I was new at this mom thing. How kind of her to offer a reassuring gesture, I thought. The gentle lady came closer, peeking into the carriage. Suddenly, all sweetness faded. She glared at me and scolded: "No hat? That baby is going to catch her death of cold!"
I was mortified. In my heart, I know I shouldn't have let it bother me. But in my head, dueling emotional responses ranged from defiance — Who does that crotchety bat think she is? — to defeat — Maybe I'm not old enough, wise enough, or good enough to mother my child the right way.
By now, with three kids in tow, I've weathered just about every meddlesome opinion, disapproving eye, and outright countermand you can imagine from what I call the Parenting Peanut Gallery: the folks in your life who sit on the sidelines and heckle you with child-rearing judgments — or, even worse, flout your mom rules and policies behind your back — with no regard for your feelings or authority.
While these digs don't leave visible scarring, they can undercut your natural mothering instincts and leave you plain old fighting mad. "There is no shortage of people ready to pick apart your parenting skills," says Michele Borba, author of 12 Simple Secrets Real Moms Know. "It can be hurtful, but when you let them shake your confidence in who you are as a mom, that's when the real damage is done."The secret to being a great mother is believing in yourself. And one of the best ways to do that is to silence that Parenting Peanut Gallery, once and for all. Here's how:
Stand up for yourself.
Address criticism as soon as it happens, so you don't hold in your anger and let it fester. "We women spend a lot of time questioning whether something should or shouldn't make us angry instead of confronting our true feelings," says Borba. "Don't be rude, but let a criticizer know they've crossed a line."
It took many hits for me to finally figure out that in order to feel confident about my parenting, I had to put busybodies in their place. With my firstborn, I often let an off-the-cuff remark from an uppity mom on the playground go seemingly unnoticed, so as not to make a scene. But afterward, I'd be burning up inside. Nowadays, I don't let people get away with offering up annoying advice, and I've managed to come up with some pretty witty retorts. Recently, a nanny at the playground said to me rather haughtily, "Hot sauce will get your son to stop sucking his fingers." I forced a smile and answered: "Thanks. He's not yet 2, but if he's still sucking them at 22, I'll take you up on that."
Not so quick with a comeback? Bria Simpson, author of The Balanced Mom: Raising Your Kids Without Losing Yourself, suggests using this easy script: "I know you have different ideas about parenting. I respect yours and I need you to respect mine."
Use ammo from the experts.
Your instincts are your best handbook to mothering. But it doesn't hurt to arm yourself with informed guidance. Read a book or two — but not 20. Consult your pediatrician. Talk to friends whose parenting styles you admire. "Mix and match to arrive at your own style," says Debbie Glasser, Ph.D., founder of newsforparents.org. "When you find out what works for you, you won't be so vulnerable to the push and pull of outsiders."
And when you really want to get the quibblers off your back, never underestimate the power of these three words: "My pediatrician says...." With that preface you get instant cred, even if you say that your baby is allergic to mauve. Seriously.
Get your guy on your side.
Most nights, around 8 p.m., you'll find me issuing orders like a traffic cop: "Put your homework in your backpacks. Take a shower. Brush your teeth." Some nights everything clicks, and by 8:30 everyone is ready to go night-night. But other nights, my husband derails my system by offering horseback rides, telling jokes, or regaling the kids with stories about his childhood. Sometimes I find this kind of sweet. But most of the time, it just eats me up.
"Spousal sabotage is a big complaint from moms — who often play 'bad cop' by default when dads just want to have fun," says Simpson. Avoid chastising your partner in front of the kids in the heat of the moment. "That kind of squabbling undermines both parents' authority and teaches kids to play you against each other," she explains. Instead, pull your guy aside and quietly explain that his actions undercut your efforts. Then suggest alternatives to his rowdy behavior, such as reading a book with the children or participating in what you're doing so he's not sabotaging you. Later, follow up with him — make sure you're still on the same page about house rules and remind him how crucial it is that you maintain a united parenting front.
Meanwhile, it's also critical to remain somewhat flexible — especially when your kids are at a friend's or relative's house. "When you model flexibility, children learn positive lessons about problem-solving," says Elizabeth Berger, M.D., a child psychiatrist and the author of Raising Kids with Character. Gina Williams, 41, a mom in Glenn Dale, MD, is adamantly against TV and video games, and so far her strident house rule has held up. But when her two sons — Zion, 6, and Dylan, 2 — visit Grandma, they're treated to a screen-time bonanza: television, video, handheld games, you name it. Instead of fighting with her mother, however, Gina softened up her rule. "I focus on the things I can control in my own house," she says. "I just say, 'What happens at Grandma's stays at Grandma's.'"
Ditch the people who bring you down.
Feeling a certain amount of self-doubt about our mothering is normal, says Borba. But when your friends actually add to your parenting insecurity, it might be time to find a new mommy group. For Patty Kamson, 44, a nearly 20-year friendship had to end because her pal kept criticizing her parenting skills. "She thought I was soft on my kids and had no qualms voicing her opinion," says Patty, who lives in Los Angeles. While the criticisms never led Patty to change her mothering style, there were times when "I wondered, What if she's right?" she says. But when Patty's daughter had a meltdown during a get-together, her now former friend "began to lay into me about how my kids and I need to toughen up," she says. So Patty cut her loose. "Riding you about how you mother? Nothing cuts deeper than that," she explains. "I feel better about my parenting — and myself — without that toxic relationship."
Stay true to you.
All mommy, all the time isn't good for your kids, and it isn't good for you either. To keep your own inner voice from being drowned out by the cacophony from underminers, you have to stay connected to the woman you were before you became a mom. Taking just 15 minutes a day for yourself for some quiet reflection will help you hone and trust your instincts. "You're much less affected by what others say if you trust your own gut," says Simpson.
Friday, February 5, 2010
text4baby
WOW. How neat is this?: Free weekly text messages with tips for pregnant and new moms from the National Healthy Mothers, Healthy Babies Coalition.
The program includes information about the blues, depression, anxiety, emotions, during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum Support International, the organization for which POEM is the Ohio affiliate, is a partner in the emotional health portion.
Text BABY to 511411
Envia BEBE al 511411 para Español
The SIGN UP INSTRUCTIONS from the Text4baby website:
Registration is easy and can be done at www.text4baby.org or from your cell phone. Simply text the word BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411. You’ll be asked to enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday and your zip code.
Once you are registered you will start receiving free messages with tips for your pregnancy and caring for your baby. These messages are timed to your due date or your baby’s birth date. If your due date changes, you can text UPDATE to 511411 and enter your new due date.
If you want to stop receiving messages from Text4baby, you can text STOP to 511411. If you want to start the messages again, you will have to re-register by sending BABY to 511411 (BEBE to 511411 for Spanish messages).
The program includes information about the blues, depression, anxiety, emotions, during pregnancy and postpartum. Postpartum Support International, the organization for which POEM is the Ohio affiliate, is a partner in the emotional health portion.
Text BABY to 511411
Envia BEBE al 511411 para Español
The SIGN UP INSTRUCTIONS from the Text4baby website:
Registration is easy and can be done at www.text4baby.org or from your cell phone. Simply text the word BABY (or BEBE for Spanish) to 511411. You’ll be asked to enter your baby’s due date or your baby’s birthday and your zip code.
Once you are registered you will start receiving free messages with tips for your pregnancy and caring for your baby. These messages are timed to your due date or your baby’s birth date. If your due date changes, you can text UPDATE to 511411 and enter your new due date.
If you want to stop receiving messages from Text4baby, you can text STOP to 511411. If you want to start the messages again, you will have to re-register by sending BABY to 511411 (BEBE to 511411 for Spanish messages).
Sunday, January 31, 2010
New Study at Denison University
If you or someone you know is pregnant or has given birth in the past 3 months, contact the researchers at Denison University in Granville Ohio to participate in a quick research study. They're looking at stress, support and mood changes around pregnancy and their findings could help us provide better support to mothers. Participants will complete two confidential phone surveys and are paid $25. Email connect@denison.edu or call 740-587-8561.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
2010 Group Meeting Schedule
Saturdays, 10am
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11
Tuesdays, 7pm
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 27
May 25
June 29
July 27
August 31
September 28
October 26
November 30
December 28
Map and location are posted on the upper right-hand corner
January 9
February 13
March 13
April 10
May 8
June 12
July 10
August 14
September 11
October 9
November 13
December 11
Tuesdays, 7pm
January 26
February 23
March 30
April 27
May 25
June 29
July 27
August 31
September 28
October 26
November 30
December 28
Map and location are posted on the upper right-hand corner
Saturday, January 9, 2010
MOTHERS Act Passes Senate
The MOTHERS Act, which focuses on postpartum depression related public awareness campaigns, research, education and services passed in the Senate on December 24, 2009 as part of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.
Expert Susan Stone informed us of an audio post explaining the basic initiatives of the MOTHERS Act. Click HERE to listen.
We have reason to be hopeful that the MOTHERS Act will succeed through the House of Representatives, as it has previously passed with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.
There is, however, more to do. Contact Susan Stone today and add your name to the list of MOTHERS Act supporters. Our legislators need to see that Ohioans support this bill. Send your name, state and any affiliation (including MOM) to susanstonelcsw@aol.com. Your contact information will remain confidential. See you on the list.
Expert Susan Stone informed us of an audio post explaining the basic initiatives of the MOTHERS Act. Click HERE to listen.
We have reason to be hopeful that the MOTHERS Act will succeed through the House of Representatives, as it has previously passed with nearly unanimous bipartisan support.
There is, however, more to do. Contact Susan Stone today and add your name to the list of MOTHERS Act supporters. Our legislators need to see that Ohioans support this bill. Send your name, state and any affiliation (including MOM) to susanstonelcsw@aol.com. Your contact information will remain confidential. See you on the list.
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