Janet Klinger is a Seattle family photographer who intuitively captures the best in people; whether family, child, teen, high school senior portraits, or dynamic professional and actor headshots.
Our family uses the we word often. As in “We are in first grade”. As many parents do, we spend time at Meridian School, volunteering, arranging classmate play-dates and best of all, socializing with parents. Here are a few photos from our hors d’oeuvres and wine gathering at my studio just prior to the Meridian School Auction.
Seattle hosts numerous new-parent support networks. See my favorites listed below. How do you connect with other new parents? Share your favorites with others beginning a new adventure– parenting.
Little piggys in the house -- help is on the way. Join a parenting network!
I might occasionally feel overwhelmed with motherhood, but today is no comparison to when I struggled with those first months of motherhood. On Ellie’s first day of life Tim and I each learned to change a diaper. That’s how ignorant we were.
After my smooth pregnancy, I was taken off guard by how little I could achieve and how my schedule and autonomy disappeared overnight. Even completing simple, mindless tasks like washing dishes seemed a momentous feat. Our first self supportive move was the installation of a dishwasher. Remaining was the problem of emptying it.
Balancing a professional life with being a mom has it’s own special challenges. I found camaraderie and tips from numerous resources listed below.
To the rescue…
PEPS (Program for Parenting Support)
Directly from the website is this description: Since 1983, PEPS has helped new parents to connect and grow. Parents come together each week to share the joys and challenges of parenthood and develop confidence in their own parenting abilities. For many parents, their PEPS Group becomes part of their extended family, a supportive community that lasts a lifetime.
Tim and I still swap babysitting and enjoy an annual camping adventure with our PEPS group. We’ve done this for 6 years and counting. The babies were all born within 2.5 months of each other.
A happy parent creates a happy family. Take care of yourself for your kids sake.
First Weeks with Ann Keppler, RN, MN and co-author of Pregnancy, Childbirth, & the Newborn.
Ann is fabulous beyond words. A gentle, generous, intuitive soul, Ann clearly cares for each and every new parent who enters the door. No problem was too small, weird or embarrassing. Ann is brilliantly insightful. She recognizes the worth of one parent sharing with or keenly listening to the experience of another new parent. The class was invaluable for showing me I wasn’t alone. Many of us felt overwhelmed. We shared in discussions regarding reflux, yeast infections, setting limits with grandparents, pet attacks, lack of sleep, soothing a colic baby, sharing resources regarding every medical condition, temperament, and sharing referrals for every service known to parent-kind. At the time I didn’t think I needed any help, just community. I found both. Having a glimpse of the outside world would be reason enough to commit myself to the weekly gatherings. First Weeks was THE most supportive of all my resources.
Neighborhood mother groups are invaluable for parenting discussions from where to find certain supplies or toys to home maintenance referrals. I personally use and love Greenlake Moms and Ballard Moms. I have also listed several other area moms and parents groups. Note some require an email first which selecting the link will indicate.
Seattle Neighborhood Communities for Mothers
Greenlake Moms
Ballard Moms
Belltown Babies
Madrona Moms
Lake Forest Moms
NE Seattle Moms : for Laurelhurst, Bryant, View Ridge, Windermere, Wedgewood, Sandpoint, Ravenna and UDistrict.
Montlake Moms
Mount Baker Parents
Queen Anne Moms
City-wide Communities for Mothers
Seattle Single Moms
Moxie Moms, a fitness and support group.
The joy of daddy and son being silly
Seattle parenting groups to support both Moms and Dads
Capital Hill Parenting
Magnolia Moms and Dads
Seattle Families of Multiples Families with twins and all multiples.
Seattle Chapter of Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals and Transgenders
Seattle Single Parents Meet-up Group
Eastside Communities for Mothers
Mothers and More
Eastside Mothers of Multiples
Kirkland Moms
Eastside Attachment Parenting