Supporting New Moms In Oxford County

Tuesday, 25 February 2020 07:16

Mommies Working Towards Wellness is a new support group for those suffering from postpartum depression. The 8 week program starts on March 27th at the Little Yoga Garden in Woodstock.

WOODSTOCK - A new support group is starting next month for new moms suffering from postpartum depression.

Mommies Working Towards Wellness will run for 8 weeks starting on March 27th. Registered Social Worker and Psychotherapist Christine Bondy is doing the group with Nada Seager who is a Registered Canadian Certified Councillors.

Both ladies are new moms who have experience with postpartum. Bondy says that is why they wanted to start this program in Oxford County.

"To have a space, to be able to come together, to be able to support one another and have a space to create that tribe because I know for myself, that was hard, feeling like I didn't have that tribe of moms. It took me awhile to branch out and meet friends, meet other moms, to talk about the challenges and the struggles of being new moms."

Bondy says both her and Seager are both moms and can give first hand experience.

"We both feel very passionately about wanting to help support moms and give them some concrete tools and strategies on how to manage some of those feelings, of feeling overwhelmed, feeling exhausted, feeling isolated, feeling anxious and depressed and create an environment where they can support and build connections, learn to put themselves first and learn to make themselves a priority."

Bondy says they welcome all moms to the group.

"It doesn't necessarily that have to be feeling postpartum depression but you could be feeling or struggling with that space, so whether it's depression, whether it is anxiety or just feeling exhausted and isolated. Not every mom will experience postpartum depression, but a lot of woman will experience a variety of different emotions after giving birth and just really struggling with how to manage that postpartum phase. So that is what we are looking at, being very inclusive of all moms within that postpartum phase who facing different challenges."

The focus of the group is on creating a sense of community, connection with other moms, and support, while learning skills and strategies to manage the postpartum period.

This is the first postpartum support group in Oxford County and it will run out of the Little yoga Garden in Woodstock. The 8 week group will run every Friday morning from 9:30 am to 11:30 am and it will start on March 27th and run until May 22nd. The group costs $800 to attend, however they have an Early Bird rate of $600 that is available until Saturday February 29th.

Babies and toddlers are welcome and you can register by calling Christine at 519-535-1833 or via email at christine.bondymsw@outlook.com or by calling Nada at 519-572-1186 or via email at nada.slager@outlook.com.

(photo submitted)