Announcement: New Moms Group changes

Starting this month, with next Saturday's session, Ashley Collins of Little Bee Birth Partner will be taking over the free, New Moms group that I lead in at my office in Durham--

Ashley is not only a local doula but also an incredible educator offering resources for new families including programs for grandparents and how to introduce siblings to new babies. She was a natural for me to ask to take over this group.

At three months, now at three years!

I have facilitated this group since my own daughter was 3 months old; Elisabeth turned 3 last month. It's definitely time for me to pass on the reigns! Moms who come to this group deserve to have a group leader "on the cusp" of the latest and as the focus of my business has shifted so, too, has my desire (and ability!) to keep up with everything related to being a new mom. It's also important for me to "walk my talk" and to give up what isn't serving me any longer as I encourage clients too. But I didn't also want the group to go away or have it be a paid opportunity. Time and again new moms told me this group has been a huge source of support and information so I am thrilled that it can continue on in the same format.

Nothing will change for 2016. Pregnant women and new moms are welcome to attend New Moms group. It will take place in the same place, 1200 Broad St, Suite 104, at the same time 2-4 pm on the same date, the 2nd Saturday of the month.

Thanks to all the moms, pregnant and with (or without!) babies, who have ever attended one of these special gatherings. They and their dear ones will always hold a special place in my heart.

Unpacking Outside The Mom Box

"The Mom Box" is a metaphor for the way that society keeps women small and contained. I wrote a little about that here recently. To be "Outside The Mom Box" is to step outside the boxes that we’re placed in as a women…whether that’s mom or childfree, wife or single, beautiful or unattractive, fat or thin…and create a life that’s not a box but a mirror. A mirror of who we are as an individual, active and taking up space in the world. I had an idea about how I wanted to help women do that when I first started this business but that's changed in the eighteen months since I opened my doors.

““We need not wait to see what others do.”
—Gandhi”

In no small way, my mother's illness and death last month helped spur on these changes. There's nothing like the death of someone close to you to remind you that your own days are numbered. And since my days, like yours, are numbered, I don't want to spend them playing it safe. Or trying to accommodate a request that doesn't make sense, pursue a path that doesn't serve me in the highest possible way or continue a commitment that feels outdated.

So, I've returned to my roots a bit in a new and improved way with the OTMB business rebranding. I'm doing only the pieces that I love and am really, really good at. This work, the story, focuses on helping women - not just moms - feel and act more confident in the big and small moments of their day-to-day lives. I'm offering solutions that only I can provide like a time-limited, personalized coaching program which focuses on a specific, super-exciting goal. No more asking "what do you want?" but "who wants to hear about My Story?" instead. This story won't change and it may not be for you. And I know some people will go away. That's okay because my story isn't for everyone. But if you struggle with saying "no" or setting a healthy boundary, it might be for you. My story might be for you if wrestle with guilt over not doing your work or enough work or the right work. And it might be for you if you waffle about making decisions because you don't want to let people down or are worried that speaking up will hurt feelings. So if any of those feel familiar, buckle yourself in. You're in good company. 

Thanks for being here.

I need you or how to get free #DurhamBulls tickets

Friends, fair warning: this is a post with a request!

After over a year of OTMB, I've decided to make a few changes. You may have noticed some on my website already. The bulk of the changes, the entire rebrand really, will be revealed in late June. Rest assured, New Mamas group is not going anywhere but other pieces are leaving. And some really terrific pieces are coming in, that I think more than a few of you will be excited about. 

I've done a lot of detective work on my own to make this happen and had professional help to fine-tune this rebrand. But more help is on the way...and they're coming (eek!) next Friday, May 1! The photography team of Kallyn and Alex Boerner of Burning Silver Photography....

Here's where you come in...

Come along for the ride!

I need 5-9 women for the "staged" group shots. Alex and Kallyn estimate this part of the day taking 30-45 minutes, sometime between 10-noon. (An exact time will be determined in part by participant response). You don't need to wear anything specific or do anything other than interact with me. (In order to replicate a real group as much as possible, I'll likely be talking about self-care.) These photos with be with adult women only (no babies) so no privacy worries.

In exchange for your time and support, I'll gift you a pair of Durham Bulls tickets ($39 value) in the Field Box section (112). These seats are amazing, right behind first base. Use them for a date night or take baby (kids under 2 get in free).

If you're feeling like you get value out of New Mamas group, our Facebook page, the interaction that you have with other women you've met through an Outside The Mom Box offering, please consider supporting me with this request. If you can help, email me at outsidethemombox (at) gmail (dot) com, leave a comment below, send me a Facebook message or Tweet me. 

Thank you so much for reading and being part of this community!