Candid Conversations about Thriving in Motherhood

Build relationships with other moms. Learn research-informed strategies to manage the challenges of motherhood.

Being a Mom is Tough

Motherhood can be joyful - but also hard. It can bring huge life changes, sleep deprivation, lack of support or tension with loved ones, overwhelming workload, and feelings of worry, sadness or guilt.

This program will make the life a little easier to navigate.

Social Support + Strategies to Thrive

 
 

Join a community of new moms who ‘get it.’ Talk openly about the ups and downs. Learn research-informed strategies to manage the challenges.

About the Program

Candid Conversations about Thriving in Motherhood is a 9-week, in-person program for moms with young kids. The core of the program is 90-minute Conversation Circles. Each weekly Conversation Circle focuses on a skill that makes motherhood easier to navigate, and includes 50% structured learning and 50% facilitated, peer-to-peer conversation.

Logistic details

  • Cost: Two monthly instalments of $75. (Subsidies available if cost is prohibitive. Email Chelsea@creatingme.ca if this is the case.)

  • Ideal for mothers whose youngest child is 0 - 6 years.

  • Location: Dorchester Terrace Community Room.

  • Time: 7 - 8:30 pm Tuesdays, starting March 12.

This is a research-informed program to improve maternal mental health and build high-trust relationships. It was co-developed by local experts.

 
 

Participants Will Develop:

1.     A supportive peer group: Build connected relationships with other new moms – starting in the program, and hopefully maintaining those relationships afterwards.

2.     Self-regulation skills: Learn how to manage your own negative thought and feelings constructively.

3.     Authenticity: Learn to identify, express, and honour your own needs and values.

4.     Self-love: Develop a deeper sense of self-love and self-acceptance, including embracing your own imperfections.

5.     Communication and self-advocacy skills: Learn to advocate for your own needs with your partner, mother-in-law, or boss, in a way that strengthens those relationships.

6.     Parenting skills: Learn how to create rules that feel right for your family, and enforce those rules firmly yet lovingly.

7.     Time management skills: Learn to manage time proactively and authentically, including setting boundaries with confidence.

Join the Next Group

To get started, join the waitlist. We’ll find a time/location that works for most and tell you. Then, you can confirm your participation or stay on the waitlist for next time.

Inclusive Space

The language and content of this workshop is geared toward parents who identify as women or who were socialized as women. This is a safe and inclusive space for birth parents, foster parents, and adoptive parents.

Program Development Team

This program was created by 3 Southwestern Ontario collaborators with a passion for preventing maternal anxiety and depression:

Chelsea Hicks-Webster, MSc, Certified Life Coach and Parent Educator, and founder of Creating Me

Chelsea struggled big time when her kids were young. Life coaching gave her the tools to find true happiness in the chaos of motherhood. Now, she provides affordable support to other moms experiencing the growing pains of materscence.

 

Laura Glenney, Registered Psychotherapist and owner of Journey Well Health & Wellness

Laura believes in prevention over cure. She treats many women with postpartum mood disorders and wanted to see a local, evidence-based program to prevent women from falling into these ruts.

 

Jesmila Murusalin, Registered Nurse and Master of Public Health

Jesmila is a public health nurse in Toronto. She did the literature review which underpinned the creation of this program. She’s also contributing to program evaluation and continuous improvement.

 

Other experts gave valuable input, too: