Tag: support
How PEPS Parents Count on Community
“I’ve always either sought out community, been a part of a community, created community. But as a parent? That was an area where I didn’t have a community.” Watch this video of PEPS parents talk about the importance of community.
Pregnancy and Birth in Puerto Rico as an Expat
by Anjelica Malone As I inch closer to my goal of becoming a midwife, I imagine starting my own childbirth practice in Puerto Rico, where I gave birth to my first daughter. It’s quite interesting to think about how the care I will provide to my clients will compare with the care I received during my pregnancy and birth five…
Dear Brand New Mom: Keep it Real
I’ve heard Facebook described as a curated version of your life – sometimes building a blindingly perfect version for all to see. Recently, a friend posted a very real and honest parenting picture on Facebook, and it was such a great example of bravery, acceptance, and support; so with her permission I’d like to share it as a reminder to…
When It’s Really Hard
I think I just had a true emotional breakdown. In car with Anderson. Not listening ad nauseam. Can feel my stress level reaching cataclysmic, desperate, absolutely miserable levels. I raise my voice, deep, gravelly, shaking—it doesn’t even sound like my own—desperately pleading with my 4-year-old to be quiet. I feel helpless and truly tortured. I have to leave the car.…
On having a baby after a PMAD
by Kaela Koepke I’d like to dedicate this second pregnancy to Prozac. I’m 3.5 months pregnant with number two and already the difference in my mood between pregnancies is night and day; the contrast is astounding. At eight weeks into my first pregnancy three years ago, I was sobbing at my midwife appointment, petrified of a miscarriage, despite having no…
Good-bye “Hot Mess” Mama! How Affordable Childcare Changed My Life
Poop or chocolate? What day is it? Did I forget pajama day at school? OMG there’s a field trip and I forgot to pack a lunch!!!! Let me introduce myself, I’m the “Hot Mess” Mom. You might have seen me on that new BuzzFeed video going around Facebook. Actually… let me rephrase that. That WAS me up until a few…
Dear Brand New Mom: What I Mean
Dear Brand New Mom, It may be frustrating to hear experienced moms (or even grandmas) make comments about how things will be in the future – you’re just trying to figure out how to manage your new baby in the present. The comments may be the last thing you want to hear. I realize now that I say things like…
Parents Everywhere Need Support, and PEPS Travels Well
One day in August of 2012, my husband Matt came home with a shiny brochure in his hand. “What do you think?” he asked, and I immediately said “Yes. Definitely yes.” In the short conversation that followed we made a decision that changed our story: In less than a year we would be moving to Bonn, Germany. We had talked for years about…
“It’s not you”
I’ll never forget the quote of a dear friend who enlightened me on the experience of new fathers. He said, “I was prepared to be a father, but I was not prepared to be married to a mother”.