The Mostly Weekly Newsletter for Heart of Houston Birth and Wellness Families and Friends
Let Summer Begin!
Hello, dear ones! I hope you've had a wonderful couple of weeks since we've talked. We've been busy over here welcoming babies and new families into our practice. Unfortunately I tend to suck at time management, so planning for our Summer Kick-off and Reunion hasn't been the best. BUT we are so excited to see you all this weekend Saturday May 27th 10am-12:30p at Mark McGrath park in the city of Meadows Place, southwest of Houston.
All Heart of Houston and Whole Heart Collective families are invited to come spend the morning celebrating our community and the start of summer. Bring a snack to share with a list of ingredients if possible. We have had a few community members offer to help out and we appreciate it. The park has bathrooms, shaded seating, a splash pad and duck pond with a fishing pier. Come make a day of it!
Please RSVP with the number of folks attending so we can plan accordingly. RSVP on all Calendar of Events page
Parenting That Heals
Last week someone sent me a NYT piece about The Era of Very Earnest Parenting, which they describe as,
"The prevailing ethos is that it’s important to acknowledge and understand a child’s feelings while maintaining boundaries, and that parents, in turn, benefit from recognizing their own feelings."
The article goes on to describe how many of today's parents have embraced a more gentle form of parenting that acknowledges the difficulty in being a child learning to exist in this crazy world AND the difficulty of being a parent learning to raise emotionally literate humans. I'll be the first to admit that this type of parenting is, at least for me, exhausting. I don't remember my parents ever telling me it was okay to be angry with them about mistakes they made. It wasn't until we were adults that my siblings and I first heard our father admit he's struggled with anxiety for most of his life. Ummmm, record scratch! WTF?! That would have been helpful to know ten years ago when I first started therapy.
Anyhow, I make it a point name both mine and my kid's emotions and regularly admit to screwing things up. "Dude, you're really angry that I won't let you paint in that dress, I get that. You've been so patient and excited about this project! This type of paint won't wash out of your clothes like your other paints. Would you prefer to take it off or cover it with one of Tata's giant Tshirts?" It's taken me seven years to learn how to formulate responses to tantrums without anger or frustration. I'm getting better at it but it's definitely not my default. After lamenting to friend and pediatrician Dr. Chan-Ramirez about a particularly rough week of parenting, she sent me this text,
"I read about Good Enough Parenting in one of Siegel's books. That attachment researcher Winnicott said that to raise well-adjusted kids we need to attune to their emotional needs at least 30% of the time. That was a relief to read for me bc I was aiming for 100% and finding myself falling short."
Yall, that 30% has been my almost daily reminder that the kids are alright. My kids aren't just learning to name their emotions, they are learning that it's okay to have feelings and express those feelings even if it makes other people uncomfortable. We are teaching them to honor the feelings and experiences of the folks they encounter without denying their own. Mostly they are teaching me that I am a good parent. Not the best, definitely not perfect but good enough for them and I'm cool with that.
If you are the parent of a school-aged child and want to explore mindful parenting practices, join Dr. Chan-Ramirez and myself for our monthly support circle. We meet the first Sunday of every month from 11-1pm. Our next circle is June 4th, please RSVP. Everyone is welcome!
Meet Sarina Ogidan!
1. Who are you?
Sarnia Ogidan, Pregnancy & Postpartum Fitness Coach from Sarnia Inspires. I am a mom of 3 precious kids. 2. How do you serve/help the pregnant and postpartum communities?
I am a NASM certified personal trainer and I hold multiple certifications in pregnancy and postpartum exercise. I am passionate about teaching and inspiring others to live healthier lifestyles through awareness, education, and exercise. I believe that movement is one of the most powerful ways to heal and restore the body. I am passionate about training the body for the physical demands of pregnancy, childbirth and parenthood through movement. 3. How did you get into this line of work?
After a debilitating post pregnancy recovery with my first child, I became curious in terms of what could be done during the pregnancy stage to help alleviate the pains and discomforts of pregnancy as well as the common discomforts that can persist years and even many DECADES after pregnancy. I experienced first-hand the benefits of specifically training the body for birth and parenthood with my subsequent pregnancies. I have since made it my mission to help others thrive in their pregnancy and postpartum journey because I don't want anyone to have to experience the aches and pains that I went through after having my first baby. 4. What do you wish everyone knew about your area of expertise?
Exercise during pregnancy is beneficial for the parent and baby. Exercise during pregnancy can prevent pains and injuries, promote easier labor, improve postpartum recovery, and improve the ability to carry out the activities of daily living in parenthood just to name a few benefits. Movement actually helps the body heal.
5. What is most rewarding about your work?
The most rewarding part about my work is hearing the shift that my clients are experiencing when they are able to do things that they've struggled to do before such as jumping on a trampoline with their kids without pain or being able to go on a hike with their family without needing to take a break every 5 minutes. Seeing my clients go from striving to thriving is a reward indeed! 6. Tell us about something (or someone) you love. My 3 wonderful children are my motivation to do the work that I do, Even as young as they are, they push me to keep going. On days that it might feel more challenging to get to my workout, my kids are typically the ones to ask for a family workout. If prioritizing my health and fitness can serve as a role model for my kids, I believe that I can help other parents do the same with their kids and that's how generations of healthy families can be created and continued.
New Events!
50/50 with Amanda Moore: June 10th Saturday 1pm-4pm. What happens when partners become parents? Join us to learn more about creating a healthy co-sharing approach to familial responsibilities including.
Words by the Handful: New baby sign language group classes. Each Monday in June 11:30am
Anxiety Support Circle: New 6 week series starts 6/12 12pm. Find out more and register here. This is free to HOH and WHC members.
Houston Pride Bash: Saturday 6/17 4pm-8pm Montrose Center. Family friendly Pride celebration!
Pregnancy and Postpartum Group Fitness Class: Saturday July 15th space is limited. Class is free and open to the public. RSVP
Sibling Classes!-Dates coming soon!
Upcoming Events
Postpartum Support Circle: 5/25 10am-12pm Babywearing expert Angelique Geehan will be here to answer all you babywearing questions.
Friday night Yoga with Bee: Register HERE Donation based for HOH and WHC member.
HOH Summer Kick-off and Reunion: Sat 5/27 10am - 12:30pm Mark McGrath Park, Please RSVP
Core Class Comfort Measures: Sunday 5/28 2-4pm open HOH clients and their support person(s)
Memorial Day- Clinic Closed unless you're in labor!
New address 6550 Mapleridge Ste 100
Monthly Ongoing Events
Wednesday Virtual Postpartum Support Circle: Second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 10-12 on Zoom. HOH clients and Whole Heart Collective members. Email Jessica if you need more information.
Thursday In Person Postpartum Support Circle: 10-12 in the community room. Open to current HOH & WHC members. Feeding clinic first and third Thursdays of each month.
Queer Parent Circle: Second Sunday of every month 2-4pm Open to the public.
Babywearing Beginners Series:Every Third Saturday 4-5pm Free for HOH & WHC
Parents of School Age Kids Circle: First Sunday of every month 11-1pm Open to the public.
Birth workers Circle: Second Sunday of every month 11am-1:30pm midwives, student midwives, doulas, birth assistants, Obs and L&D nurses are all welcome to attend.
Mindful Movements: First and second Saturday of each month 10:30-12
Yoga with Bee: Every Monday from 10-11am Open to the public members donation based register here.
Various Childbirth Education Curriculums starting soon: Rebel Birth weekend intensive or Bradley Method with Anne Zwicky
That's all for now! Have a great week everyone.
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