Building Confidence and Community On Your Parenting Journey
15 By Jenny Fenig, mom, life/career coach to women
My life changed when I had a child. I distinctly remember looking out of my hospital room window on that cold January night my son was born and saying to myself: “Life will never be the same.” As any parent can tell you, that is an understatement. 
The following weeks were a mix of constant feeding, changing, rocking, bathing, sleep deprivation, oohing and aahing. It seemed that my husband and I were living in a dream … sometimes a “wow, this is so cool” dream and sometimes a “what have we gotten ourselves into?” dream.
As newbies, we were learning on the job and doing the best that we could. Having a newborn is a humbling experience.
As a first-time mom, I felt a real sense of wanting a community to share in this transformative journey. There is something about being around other women that allows us to open up, be vulnerable, laugh, cry. Following this instinct, I made a life-changing decision: I joined a new moms support group in my neighborhood. The first day Sean and I entered that group, I knew we were in the right place. Filling the room were women like me: first-time moms who had babies very close in age to my son. An immediate sense of connection and calm washed over me. I wasn’t alone! There are other women getting their first dose of spit up, poop explosions, sleepless nights, breastfeeding, isolation, identity shifts, and hearts so full of love you think they might explode. Our group came together every week to talk, share, grow, bond. The experience was simply amazing.
You know what’s really cool? We still get together regularly for playdates, birthday celebrations, and moms nights out. These 7 women are my “momtourage” and the first people I go to with a question, concern or funny story about parenthood.
That transformative experience – coupled with my work as a life and career coach to women – inspired me to partner with babybites (founder Laura Deutsch is a HUGE advocate of support) to do uber-important work: offering support groups to the magnificent mothers of Manhattan. What an awesome way to be in service and bring women together to build confidence and community.
I can’t tell you how much I believe in the power of support. It really is a life changer.
Special thanks to the moms and babies – past, present and future – who have opened your hearts and lives to the power of these groups (which have grown from 1 to 14 groups a week in a little less than a year!). You all are amazing. Much love and thanks to Renee Sullivan, my fellow partner, and to the entire babybites crew for being a part of this adventure. And to the boy who started it all, my son Sean. You are my inspiration. I thank my lucky stars that I am your mom!
Here’s to the journey ahead … and to getting the support we all deserve.
- Source:
- Mommybites
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- Title:
- Building Confidence and Community On Your Parenting Journey
@Phil: I like the name of your movie … I may have to “borrow” that one. Sounds like a blockbuster!!
@Katherine: “I love myself enough to find support from my Momtourage” may be my new mantra. Thanks for sharing … and for the love and positive energy!
I love your term Momtourage!! So great and so true! Becoming a parent changes EVERYTHING in ways you can never, ever forsee — and in ways that are often different and unique to each of us. I love myself enough to find support from my Momtourage! ♥Katherine
Life Blossoming Systems
Momtourage: The Movie…
Great post and love your naming for your crew. How wonderful to have such a supportive clan and bravo for teaching other new moms how to do the same thing.
Phil
@Linda: Yes, it takes a village. Love it!
@Christine: Thank you, I’m lucky to have my community. Becoming a mother has made me feel more a part of my community than ever before!!
Congratulations on your partnership with Babybites. Your community is very lucky to have the support they need when becoming a parent.
It’s so cool how mothers/women support each other. Thanks for the inspirational story. It truly takes a village, doesn’t it?
@Lisa & Terry: Thanks for passing this along to your friends and colleagues!
@Mitch: Glad you enjoyed.
@Kiyla: From one mom to another, I salute you!
Jenny.
What a cool story! The poop explosion reference made me laugh out loud! It’s so wonderful that you were able to find a group of women to share the experience with. Thanks so much for sharing!
Ellen
Awwwe…loving your story. Being a mommy to a beautiful three year old I enjoy reading about your momma community. So important…so supporting…so cool:)
Kiyla
Jenny,
Thank you for sharing your story with everyone.
Jenny,
I’m going to forward this on to my assistant – a brand new first time mom.
Thanks so much for this information. Although I am not a mother I have many friends who are and your information will help me better support what they are going through.
Write on!~
Lisa
@Sue: Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts. You are right – women have been the weavers of the community. It’s what we do so well. Exciting to be part of the fabric of so many lives.
@Trudy: “Momtourage” is cool, right? Even better is having a momtourage to support you on the parenthood journey. It’s a powerful experience.
Jenny
What a lovely story – your son is lucky to have you as his mom. Love the term “momtourage” too – very cute. Will be sharing this site with my sister….
Jenny, Your story about how you got started doing Mom’s groups is inspirational. Women have always been the weavers of the community, and you have found a way to weave moms together that has been missing since cities got to be so impersonal and large.
Sue Painter