"Putting our own mental health
right up there with our kids’ - perhaps even first - is probably the best way to
go. Since kids are so highly intuitive, working on own happiness and mental
health is the best thing we can do - though it’s easier said than done, it’s
probably the best legacy we can leave." (Alice Walton). YES. YES. YES.
It appears we're having technical difficulties with our meeting map gadget. (usually on the top left of the blog page). So, our Moms Group meeting schedule for July is:
Saturday July 14th at 10am
Tuesday July 24 at 7pm
These dates follow our typical schedule - the 2nd Saturday of every month at 10am and the 4th Tuesday of every month at 7pm.
As I listened to my daughter's 5th grade class sing the DARE song at last's week's program graduation, I thought back to the Just Say No programs that I recall in school. Did we have a nifty song too? I don't remember.
We're all familiar with the purpose and value of teaching kids how to stand up to peer pressure, value themselves and make good choices. But, now that we're all grown up, how do we moms rate?
Do you succumb to peer pressure? Feel yourself saying "Yes" to commitments, activities even if you'd rather not?
Yes, of course, let's have all the in-laws at our house. Sure! I'll bake the cupcakes! Absolutely, count me in to help with the....
Maybe Just Say No should have a mommy curriculum. After all, if you just say no to one commitment, what might you be saying yes to? Yes to time to relax. Yes to setting boundaries. Yes to...
I don't much like running. I just can't do it. Consequently, I've always had this admiration for those who run marathons and all that really tough kind of exercise. Like there's some extra physical tough-ness gene I missed out on. Or I'm a wimp.
So I read with interest an article by Jillian Michaels on becoming a mother recently published in Self Magazine. She seems pretty tough, after all. Surely it's easy for someone like her.
But I really do know better. Good moms are not made just by working harder. You can work all night to get the baby to go to sleep, and still be unsuccessful.
It's not a toughness test. Oh yes, there's endurance involved, for sure, but it's balance and expectations. They are key. Learning how to balance your needs with those of the child and the expectation that there really is no perfect balance. And, just like the rest of us, Jillian struggles with those, too.
It's May. The month in which we honor mothers.
Here at POEM, while we serve moms all year long, we've really turned up our
advocacy chops this month.
We’re proud of our long-running support
services, but there’s more to do. We must
bring awareness in our community of how common, treatable and REAL perinatal
mood and anxiety disorders really are.
You
know it, right? You've been listening? You are not alone. You are not to blame;
your illness is real. And with help, you'll get better.
But in order to support the mothers who follow,
the thousands right here in our community who will also struggle, we must reach
out. Keep talking.
To that end, we're proud to share a couple recent accomplishments:
This week, The Franklin County Maternal Depression Task Force, led by Caring for 2, POEM and Columbus Public Health received proclamations declaring May as Maternal Depression Awareness Month from the Columbus City Council and the Franklin County Commissioners.
In concert with this Public Awareness Campaign, the amazing genius-folk at
GSW Worldwide created a :30 PSA based on our longer video created last May. Check it out!
Incelebration National
Volunteer Week, April 15-21
THANK YOU
to the many wonderful,
beautiful, caring, giving, brilliant, dynamic and dedicated volunteers that keep
POEM going strong. To our Board of Directors, Advisors, Mentors, Facilitators,
Support Line Volunteers, Coordinators, Fundraisers, Project Volunteers and
Donors: each and every one of you are truly and greatly appreciated and needed.
But
why did we select a comedy about motherhood? After all, the issues in which POEM addresses
are serious stuff. Depression, anxiety, obsessive thoughts are nothing to laugh
at.True, but the funny, silly,
crazy, scary things that happen throughout pregnancy, new motherhood and
beyond, bond us all. All
mothers, at some moments, feel as though they’ve no idea what they’re doing. All
mothers, at some moments, cry. Sob. Weep. From
worry, joy, sadness, fear. All
mothers, at some moments, feel overwhelmed. All
mothers, at some moments, wonder what happened to their mind – and their
bodies. And
while, in this age of Mommy Bloggers and social media, more stories of Real Moms
are shared – and that is important, to be applauded and supported – nothing can
replace the power of together. Together,
I can: Meet
my own needs in order to meet the needs of my family. Ask
for help when I need it. Forgive
myself for mistakes. Live
in the chaos. Coming
together to laugh, cry, share – face to face – is powerful and vital.It reminds each and every one of us that when
we’re spent, tired, frustrated, grumpy, worried and feeling alone: that we are
not.
We are together, as mothers, as a
community: powerful. And
funny.
August Group Meeting Schedule: - Saturday August 11 at 10am - Tuesday August 28 at 7pm Meetings are held at Northwest Counseling Services (CLICK HERE FOR MAP/DIRECTIONS) Call 614.315.8989 with questions.
At POEM we provide peer support that enhances—but does not replace—medical/psychological care for moms with PPD. We provide a judgment-free, practical problem-solving approach that has been shown to be effective in multiple studies. We help hundreds of women in Ohio who were referred by OB/GYNS, pediatricians, therapists, hospital systems and public health departments. And we show compassion, because we are moms who have been there.
