Mother’s Day: Jen’s Story

Jen referred herself to YSI’s Parenting Collaborative group because she was feeling overwhelmed with being home all day with her newborn son and her daughter, a second grader who is engaged in remote learning all year. Since connecting with YSI, she has been attending weekly groups since September and regularly utilizes other group members and facilitators as her support system.  

One of the biggest challenges she expressed was balancing the sleep schedule of her newborn while balancing her elder daughter’s remote learning. YSI’s parenting group facilitators shared resources and tips about sleep schedules, providing guidance, and supported her with technical issues related to remote learning. Jen shared and received support around the challenge of being a parent teacher.  The facilitators also connected Jen with YSI’s Baring House Crisis Nursery that can care for her baby to provide a break and reduce stress.  Jen was also able to benefit from donations of infant furniture and clothing and toys for her older child.  These donations take one more thing from Jen’s overflowing plate and alleviated some stressors. Jen continues to attend weekly groups and is implementing a self-care plan along with other ideas discussed in parenting group. 

This mother’s day as you celebrate all the maternal people in your life,  please consider a donation to support mothers in YSI programs, like Amy. See below for some of the ways that we put your gift to work.