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Would an Organization Like PEP
Work in Your Community? Probably. Parenting is a universal process, but rarely smooth or easy. Most new parents suffer from uncertainty, confusion, and fatigue. At the same time, many communities contain a pool of experienced parents who are proud of their accomplishments and eager to be supportive of others who need guidance. These are the valuable resources that you too can access in order to help relieve new mothers' stress and the stigma of postpartum anxiety, while creating strong, healthy families in your community.
What does PEP do?
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Warmline
The 24-hour Warmline provides confidential one-on-one support and information about basic infant care, feeding and behavior, postpartum adjustment, and any other problems that new parents may encounter. PEP maintains a Community Resources Directory that refers callers to other resources (although it endorses no specific products or professionals), as well as a list of members who have experienced special types of problems and are equipped to counsel other parents in these areas.
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Parent Discussion Groups
Discussion groups for new parents meet weekly, with a new group forming every two months. These groups are led by two volunteers and provide the opportunity for parents to meet other families with babies of the same age to share their experiences and derive support.
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Baby Basics
This volunteer-taught, three-hour class takes place once a month. It provides information about postpartum adjustment and the everyday care and safety of newborns. The class includes demonstrations of diapering, car seat usage, and bathing a real baby. Our only service with a fee, the class requires a nominal charge for the comprehensive Baby Basics manual.
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Postpartum Calls
Parents may sign up for a postpartum call to have a PEP volunteer telephone the family a week after the baby's due date. The call can provide reassurance and encouragement if needed.
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Postpartum Distress Support
As many as two of every fifteen women suffer a range of postpartum adjustment problems, including postpartum depression. PEP offers helpful self-assessment, telephone support, and a weekly group with a specially trained volunteer.
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Web Site
This volunteer-created and maintained resource answers questions, refers visitors to related web sites, and provides some reading material.
How PEP works
Thorough and consistent training of all PEP volunteers is essential to its success. This entails careful recruiting and screening of potential volunteers, who must attend 12 hours of training. A volunteer team led by two trainers directs the intensive program, which requires active participation. Besides educating new members about PEP's services, the training program emphasizes learning and practicing certain skills.
These include:
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*Active listening |
*Asking judicious questions |
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*Prompting speaker |
*Not interrupting or criticizing |
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*Withholding judgment |
*Not becoming the problem-solver |
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*Not giving advice |
*Finding speaker's true concern |
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*Reflecting back |
*Guiding self-problem-solving |
PEP Facts
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PEP is led by a volunteer board that meets once a month.
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Since all members are volunteers, there must be flexibility in scheduling their participation.
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PEP sends a monthly newsletter to all members.
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There is no office, which helps to keep the budget low.
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PEP provides year-round continuity of services.
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A monthly meeting provides volunteer education, appreciation, and an opportunity to socialize.
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PEP maintains ongoing communication with health care professionals in the community.
What are PEP's concerns?
PEP recognizes that adding a child to the family is not a simple process and that there are significant problems inherent in postpartum adjustment for both parents, but especially for the mother. Society often downplays these problems.
Research has shown that the first year of a baby's life is crucial to emotional and psychological development. All children deserve optimum care and the most nurturing environment.
The emotional health of the mother impacts the entire family. Upset mothers are more apt to abuse their children, and stressed parents are more likely to divorce. Confident, stable parents can avoid these problems.
Our culture has mythologized motherhood and places a huge burden on mothers to be perfect. We must recognize that there is no one right way to parent.
New parents learn their skills on the job, their self-confidence increasing as they gain more experience. This is easier if parents are not isolated, but have a chance to compare notes with others in a nonjudgmental, encouraging environment.
Suggested Reading
Step By Step: A Guide to Organizing a Postpartum Support Network in your Community
by: Jane Honikman
If you would like to establish a Parent Support
Group
in your
community, please
contact us at
805-564-3888
for
information and training materials.
Check back here for info on our next
"Start PEP" Training Seminar
Dates TBD |
warmline: (805) 564-3888