How long have you been a NurturePA mentor?
Two years.

What makes the Nurture^® Program so special?
The early years of motherhood can be so difficult and challenging, and a lot of new moms (myself included) have no idea what to expect. NurturePA provides a sort-of “virtual friend” for these moms to talk to. A shoulder to cry on, someone to direct you to appropriate resources, even someone who can just tell you “this is normal” or “you’re doing a great job”. As a new mom, I would have loved to have someone checking in on me weekly, to genuinely care about how I was doing. And the anonymity makes it easier for these moms to open up to us in ways they may not feel comfortable doing with people that they know.

What is your favorite part about being a NurturePA mentor?
It’s so hard to pick just one! I love sharing in the joy of a new mom when her baby does or experiences something new! I love watching their confidence grow as a new mom.

Tell us about a time when you feel like you made a positive impact on the life of a mom and her new baby.
I’ve had a few moms who were struggling with symptoms of post-partum depression, but didn’t really know it. One in particular would tell me how her partner scoffed at her feelings of fear and inadequacy, and told her that maybe it was a sign that she “shouldn’t be a mom”. I told her that he couldn’t be more wrong, and that lots of great moms feel this way. I directed her to some of our resources for PPD support and allowed her to just vent to me about her feelings. I think that validating her feelings and just listening to her has been really meaningful to her.

Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I have a great husband and two kids (4 and 16 months), and a fluffy black dog. I work at Magee in the Pregnancy Screening Lab, where I enjoy reading prenatal ultrasounds all day. I love to hike, roller skate (I played roller derby for 5 years), and recently I found a passion for knitting.