On Your Feet Foundation’s Post

What makes our birthparent support groups different? A lot. We don’t work in the adoption industry, for starters, making us a truly neutral space in which to heal. We’ve been providing support for birthparents for nearly 25 years, so we have a long, proven track record of being the safe neutral space birthparents need in order to heal, and thrive. And the help and support we offer is free to birthparents, of course. That’s a given. We also aren’t just running one support call a month, because that model can be really difficult for people to access regularly. Instead we have 6 calls a month, some themed, some just open conversation, and one dedicated to birthparents navigating closed or in-reunion adoptions.   And best of all, our BirthmomsConnect calls are run by birthmothers, for birthmothers. Our call moderators are the same incredible birthparents who facilitate our birthmom retreats. Not only do they have the lived experience necessary to walk with you, but they are truly some of the kindest, smartest, and funniest people you’ll ever meet, and their support for other birthparents is incredible.   Birthmom support groups are a kind of self-care: you don't have to be a client of ours to join, they are also via Zoom, so you can log in from anywhere, and you don't have to give your last name - or even turn your camera on - to join us. Make a plan to find the healing community you deserve, surrounded by other birthmoms who have walked in your shoes.   Registration and info: https://lnkd.in/g8W7rc_G #birthmothersaremothers 

What makes our birthparent support groups different? A lot. We don’t work in the adoption industry, for starters, making us a truly neutral space in which to heal. We’ve been providing support for birthparents for nearly 25 years, so we have a long, proven track record of being the safe neutral space birthparents need in order to heal, and thrive. And the help and support we offer is free to birthparents, of course. That’s a given. We also aren’t just running one support call a month, because that model can be really difficult for people to access regularly. Instead we have 6 calls a month, some themed, some just open conversation, and one dedicated to birthparents navigating closed or in-reunion adoptions. You don't have to be a client of ours to join BirthmomsConnect, and we are here for you regardless of how long ago you placed. These calls are held via Zoom, so you can log in from anywhere, and you don't have to give your last name - or even turn your camera on - to join us. Make a plan to find the healing community you deserve, surrounded by other birthmoms who have walked in your shoes - our call moderators are the same birthparents who run our retreats! Registration and info: https://lnkd.in/g8W7rc_G

Arriving at the hospital to meet their baby is often the most anticipated event in an adoptive family's journey. To help you prepare, adoption expert Mardie Caldwell Christensen, C.O.A.P. shares what to expect and answers some of the most common questions adoptive couples have. You'll also get additional resources about what to expect when your baby arrives! #newbornadoption #adoptionjourney #LifetimeAdoption

Celebrating Awareness that Matters "Drug abuse, violent behavior, hyper-sexuality, and self-harm are often symptoms (not the cause) of much bigger issues. And it almost always stems from a childhood filled with trauma, absent parents, and an abusive or violent family. But most people are too busy either laughing or pitying at the homeless and drug addicts to realize that their own children could be in their shoes in 15 years." This is one such thing where rich and poor are alike. Sad, isn’t it. The graph below shows human brain development. 90% of the brain develops so early and fast that by the time parents sort out their issues, the child’s most critical development phase is gone. Child is either traumatized or neglected, result is the same. One of the most important bridges between the child and their learning are parents and caregivers and we Dawn Child (Dawn Child Foundation) focus on how the ‘parents’ and ‘caregivers’ can address this void during their child's most critical years. What we do: We devote ourselves to empowering new parents as self-aware educators. We create safe spaces with empathy, trust and connection to bring the joy of childhood for children and fun of parenthood for parents. Empathize, Connect, Communicate To know more and support us, please click here: https://lnkd.in/g2CvUe-K ❤️ Donate Today to Support DCF’s Mission https://r.give.do/Wp3Piv30 Thank you Mukul S Gulati . . . . . #Dawnchildfoundation #ParentalEmpowerment #EarlyChildhoodEducation #CommunityBuilding #InclusiveLearning #HolisticDevelopment

Action Against Hunger advocates for Kangaroo Mother Care (KMC) due to its significant advantages for both mothers and babies.    For mothers, KMC promotes quicker postpartum recovery, reduces postpartum depression, and increases milk production. For babies, it helps fight infections, maintains their body temperature, and supports healthy weight gain.    This method, rooted in the nurturing bond between mother and child, not only saves lives but also fosters an environment conducive to healthy growth and development.    By championing KMC, Action Against Hunger aims to ensure healthier, thriving families from the very start of their lives. #ActionAgainstHunger #KangarooMotherCare #InfantCare #KMCAdvocacy #MotherAndChild #CommunityService #KangarooCare #NewbornHealth #MaternalSupport #PretermInfants #ChildHealth #KMCImpact #NurturingCommunities #MotherhoodJourney #CommunityWellness #EarlyChildhoodCare #SupportingFamilies #HealthierTomorrow  

Did you know that 5,400,000 youth in the U.S. act as caregivers for parents, grandparents, or siblings? The American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY) shares helpful resources for understanding the challenges that caregiving youth face and strategies for supporting them in this new resource guide on Support Caregiving: https://loom.ly/WdDtt58

Every year we help hundreds of birthparents who find themselves struggling after placement - not just months after, but years, and decades after. Each birthparent that comes to us has access to comprehensive post-placement care, and can design a bespoke healing path based on their individual needs. Maybe that's help finding and paying for adoption-competent therapy. Maybe it's joining our mentoring program, or hopping online to one of the 6 Zoom-based support groups we run every month in a 'by birthmoms, for birthmoms' safe and supportive space. Maybe it's needing assistance to figure out an education plan, or a budget, or maybe it's just having people who understand how triggering holidays can be and can provide a healing community of people who get it. That's what we do, and we do it for birthparents at no cost to them, because of the generosity of our sponsors and donors. We cannot provide the help and support birthparents need and deserve without the help of people like you, who recognize the importance of our mission and understand that helping birthparents improves outcomes for everyone in the adoption constellation. Won't you become a Gather sponsor today, so that we never have to turn away a birthparent in need of help? Click the link to get started today: https://lnkd.in/gtppZBsA

Let's start a conversation! How can we, as a society, better recognize and support the diverse experiences of all mothers, including birth mothers, adoptive mothers, and other caregivers? 🤔💬 What steps can you personally take to contribute to this awareness and support? 💪❤️ #MotherhoodUnfiltered #OpenAdoption #DiverseMotherhood #MaternalSupport #HowItFeelsToBeAMother #MomsJourney 🎧✨ 🌐 Learn more and watch/listen to episode 11 "A Birth Mother's Story of Open Adoption: Maternal Love Beyond Boundaries" at howitfeelstobeamother.com and join the conversation! 🌐

As we age, it's natural to need additional care and support. Many older adults receive care from their adult children; however, caring for an aging parent can be overwhelming for only children. Read our blog to learn more: https://bit.ly/3AGcAMP