Parents, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.

Or just as likely, we’ve got questions and you’ve got answers.

Challenge: Finding Your Village

Fit4Mom gave me myself back

0
Vote up!
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Email this article

I had one stay-at-home mom friend and struggled a lot after my son was born. That first year, he didn't sleep, I was under the black cloud of postpartum depression, my husband was under a lot of stress at work, and I felt completely alone. After my one mom friend moved away, I decided I had to do something, meet other moms somehow, so I tried a workout class for moms called Stroller Strides. It was the best thing I ever did with my son. The classes are done with the kids in the strollers, so you sing and play with them while simultaneously getting a killer workout. But the best part was the village. I got to spend every day with other moms who knew what I was going through and supported me completely. I felt such acceptance and belonging. And together we did play dates and field trips and crafts after class, had moms nights out, volunteered, got stronger, learned to love our bodies, learned to take care of ourselves, celebrated each other's successes, brought meals to those with new babies or difficult situations, and became a community. 5.5 years later, we still have the friends we made at Stroller Strides and my son still talks about the class. He values fitness in a way he otherwise might not have if he hadn't seen me having fun working out. I didn't want to leave that village, so now, I'm an instructor and teach classes for the company Fit4Mom. I still rely so heavily on their support and it's given me so much more than any community I've ever been a part of, and I hope to share that support with other moms.

This post comes from the TODAY Parenting Team community, where all members are welcome to post and discuss parenting solutions. Learn more and join us! Because we're all in this together.