How close is your dream of motherhood to your reality?
From the time a woman finds out she is pregnant she begins to make plans.
She dreams about the birth and about what life will be like with this new baby.
If the baby is not her first, she will be imagining what it will be like sharing herself with all her children, how they will play together and be best friends.
The dreams keep on coming.
Dreams are wonderful – they help us to find direction, set goals and to prepare ourselves for what we imagine lies ahead.
What happens when our dreams do not become our reality?
Caring Mums knows that many women struggle with their reality not being their dream.
The Caring Mums program was created 10 years ago to emotionally support new mothers on their journey, to share in the joys and the challenges and encourage them as they transition into their new role.
Many programs are out there for mothers that offer medical or practical help, Caring Mums offer emotional support, and few programs do this.
Specially trained volunteers are matched to new mums – not necessarily first-time mums – and pregnant women, with the goal of developing secure, trusting relationships.
They meet weekly for up to 12 months.
The volunteers become mentors, cheerleaders, bearing witness to, and walking alongside her ‘mum.’
A safe space is created in which the mother can share the joys and challenges of her new role without fear of being judged or instructed.
Many new mothers – especially now, due to the pandemic – feel alone and isolated as their own families may not be able to be present at a time when a woman most needs ‘her village’.
Caring Mums helps fill that void.
The goal is to support the mother in a way that empowers and builds confidence.
Caring Mums offers someone to talk to that is outside of the mother’s inner circle.
Its focus is the mother because if mum is well nurtured, she will then be able to be a better nurturer herself.
“From the moment I met my Ray, I knew that this program was going to be a huge beacon of support for myself and my family,” mum Lara said.
“Ray’s natural, calm way when she spoke to me, as well as her ‘words of wisdom,’ were so helpful during this daunting, yet exciting chapter in our lives.”
Caring Mums is a program of NCJWA Vic, a not-for-profit organisation committed to empowering women to achieve their potential and improve the quality of life for all women, girls and their families.
If you are pregnant, a new mother, or if you know of someone that would like to add to her village of support, visit www.ncjwavic.org.au/caringmums or call 0481 081 242.
