MomsBloom

Most of us have found ourselves being drawn into discussions on motherhood. Books, television, magazines, and radio talk shows all tell us that “…it’s tough to be a mom in today’s culture.” At this very moment, our society is experiencing rising divorce rates, an escalation in child abuse, an increase in alcoholism and drug addictions, and the cases of emotional stress are off the charts. All the while mothers are trying to navigate life in the midst of these daunting issues. However, these things are not really causes of parenting challenges; they are the symptoms of parenting challenges. So, what is the cause? First, we have a higher rate of low-income, at-risk families who struggling just to keep afloat. Second, we have become a culture of individuals who are trying (and failing) to do it all; and do it alone. Third, society continues to set higher expectations for motherhood, while increasing isolation and eliminating traditional support systems. And lastly, we keep our anxieties and fear a secret, never seeking help and support. This combination creates rising stress, emotional void, and challenges within the family unit, all of which nurture a ripe environment with dangerous outcomes -- dangerous outcomes to the society that has fostered their existence. MomsBloom resets the expectation meter for motherhood. Our mission is to build strong families – through peer support and advocacy – to successfully navigate the challenges of early motherhood. We reinstate the support network to help parents meet a more realistic set of expectations. The goal is not for mom to be superwoman. The goal is not to be a perfect parent. The goal is to have a healthy, well-adjusted mom who can raise a happy baby into a healthy well-adjusted child, thus helping to build a strong family. Programs: Flourishing Families and Cameron's Garden