We are anticipating some new beginnings at the Birth Circle this month–exploring the opportunity to partner in the creation of a postpartum support group and saying goodbye to several board members who have completed their terms. We are dedicated to supporting women and families through pregnancy, childbirth, and parenting, and I personally have been feeling the need to find ways to offer more support and community during the postpartum year as this often overlooked part of each mother’s journey can have far-reaching effects on herself and her family. If you are someone who would like to be part of the creation of a postpartum support group, please let me know. Likewise, if you would be interested in joining our board of directors, we have several openings waiting to be filled!
Ariel Carver
Executive Director, The Birth Circle
director@athensbirthcircle.com
740-652-6262
LOSS SUPPORT GROUP
Thursday, July 5th
6:30 pm
Central Avenue Church, 73 Central Ave., Athens
If you are in need of support because of a pregnancy loss or the loss of your child, you are welcome to join us every first Thursday of the month for this support group. These meetings are free and facilitated by a professional social worker. All family members, such as grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, as well as friends are welcome. Childcare is provided.
Play Group is Back!
Tuesday, July 3rd
Join Birth Circle Board member Maira and her children at the Athens Library in the children’s section on the first Tuesday of the month 3-5pm for informal free play and socializing.
MONTHLY MEETING
Your Baby’s Nervous System and You: How to Promote Healthy Growth and Development.
Wednesday, July 25, 7 pm at the Athens Library
Christian Continenza will be talking about the development of a baby in utero and the parent’s role in supporting baby’s neurological growth and development, as well as how the expecting mama’s self-care can contribute to baby’s development.
https://www.facebook.com/events/2109735829273090/
YOUNG MOMS GROUP
Saturday, July 28 from 12 PM – 2 PM
Nelsonville park
Young Moms Group is going to meet at the park next to the Nelsonville pool. We will provide sandwich fixings, chips, and water. See you all there!!
More about the Birth Circle Young Moms Group:
Are you a young mom or mom-to-be who would like to spend some time with other young moms and their children? Well, this is the group for you! Come join us for a fun time learning, sharing and playing. Open to all younger moms, so if you were under 23 years old when you had your first child, then join us and share your experiences as a young mom.
MEALS FOR FAMILIES (formerly Meals For Moms)
Let The Birth Circle community cook for you! If you’ve just had a baby, if you are going through another type of transition in your family, or have experienced a loss, The Birth Circle is more than happy to organize a meal calendar to help support you. If you are interested in receiving meals, providing meals or both, please contact our Meals For Families Coordinator, Ariel Carver at arielrose.carver@gmail.com for more information.
Prepared Mommy Camp
Our spring session of Prepared Mommy Camp has wrapped up, with five participants forming our core group each time, several of whom have indicated an interest in attending the fall session as well as community members/mentors for the new group of participants. At our June meeting, we enjoyed lunch courtesy of Avalanche! We have another session scheduled for the fall, this will be the same topics/discussions with new participants and we will still be in need of volunteers to transport participants and Mamas who want to hang out; something as simple as seeing other women breastfeed in the course of their daily baby care can make a huge difference to some of these young moms who may not have other breastfeeding moms in their lives! If you run a small business (cleaning, photography, massage, etc.) and are able to donate a gift certificate for some kind of self-care service for our participating Mamas, we will be collecting for the grand prize at the end of the Camp.
Prepared Mommy Camp Registration is Open for Session 2!
Prepared Mommy Camp is generously supported by The Athens Foundation and by our awesome community.
We have openings for the next session of Prepared Mommy Camp starting on Saturday, August 18th from 10 am-2 pm at the Friends Meeting House in Chauncey. If you or someone you know is a young mom or mom-to-be (up to age 23) this is a great place to build a supportive community with other young parents discussing pregnancy, birth, postpartum, and parenting. If you or someone you would like to attend, just send us a message for details! Contact Ariel at athensbirthcircle@gmail.com, call/text 740-652-6262.
For more information or to register go to www.athensbirthcircle.org/prepared-mommy-camp.
