Monthly Archives: May 2014

In Support Of Maternal Mental Health/Postpartum Depression–Berkeley

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I’m reaching out as I am leading a team for Climb Out of Darkness 2014. It is a walk to raise awareness and funds for Postpartum Progress and support maternal mental health. My deep hope is to also build some local community and even start a peer support group with other moms in the area.

The Berkeley Climb is on Saturday, June 21st at 9:30 am, Inspiration Point in Tilden Park (more details TBA- the trail is stroller friendly).

Participants DO NOT have to fundraise to be a part of it. As a mom who struggles with PPD/PPA, I understand that sometimes it is hard enough to get out the door, never mind asking other folks for money while you do it! Raising money for this wonderful organization is great — getting connection and support is even better!

This link has all the info about Postpartum Progress and the Climb in general:

http://postpartumprogress.org/climb-out-of-the-darkness/cotd-faq/

This link has specifics for Team Berkeley and there is a button to register for the team:

https://www.crowdrise.com/susansnyder-COTD2014/fundraiser/susansnyder

People can also contact me directly at suzansnyder@gmail.com
Susan

Mindful Mothers Retreat this Saturday

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Mindful Mothers’ (Day)  Retreat                  

           Saturday May 10th 10:00-1:30

A gift to give yourself or a loved one for the day before  mothers’ day
The Essential Practice of Self-Care For Mothers: Why Taking Care of Yourself is a Gift to Your Child & Family
 
     Taking care of yourself is not always an easy task. While putting food in your body and getting the requisite 6 to 8 hours of sleep may not be particularly daunting, really truly tending to yourself is a whole lot harder. When was the last time you paused to consider what it is you need on a deeper soul level? As mothers and women our attention gravitates towards focusing on the needs of others. In fact, pausing to reflect on what we might need or want may rarely occur to us. Like an all night radio station that never goes off air, there may be a steady stream of very important tasks to accomplish with self-care never or rarely making it to the top of the list. But what happens when we allow ourselves to be entirely swept up by the demands that surround us? We lose connection with ourselves and ultimately with those who are most important to us. By putting one foot in front of the other without ever pausing to reflect, we are likely to end up tired, depleted, resentful or lost. If we take time to reflect, however, about what our intentions are and what we really want/need to prioritize, we are much more likely to lead a satisfying and engaged life. In other words if we tend to our metaphorical soil, the sustenance of our soul, we can better provide for our loved ones without depleting our resources to the point of offering empty calories. So tend to yourself and tend to your soil. Reflect on your soul needs and remember the Buddah’s saying: “A mother best serves her child who serves herself.”