is a single mama in the city, super-savvy editor, writer, video host and shameless shoe whore.
One fabulous nursery GIVEAWAY + one amazing cause for new moms
Friday, May 2, 2014 
I was leading a workshop for the women of my church years ago. It was on finding your spiritual center, and I had the skills and the rituals and all the tools I needed to help guide a room full of women of all ages to a calm, quiet space in the midst of very busy lives, just one row of windows from a very busy intersection in the center of Chicago. But the truth is, I was there because I needed to access that spiritual center as much as they did. I was in the midst of a divorce that seemed endless and was exhausting. I felt unsure. Alone. Clinging to my child and all the support lines I could reach, I puled myself one arm's length at a time toward that place of peace. The rope felt long and tangled and I was in knots.
And then three young women - very young - came through the door to join us. They were all participants in a program for homeless and displaced teen mothers who are seeking shelter, education, support, empowerment. They came to share their journey, to breathe slowly during yoga poses, laugh with us while we made prayer beads and open up about how New Moms, Inc., the organization that makes a place for them and women like them, had changed their course.
Their stories of surviving abuse, bullying, neglect, discrimination and a kind of fear that made my worry seem inconsequential - all while pregnant or with babies - humbled me, compelled me, immediately connected to that center I was seeking. Not all of their decisions were sound or wise, but they were there, working and learning and trying and sharing. That felt immensely brave.
And as a mother, and then a new single mother, I felt that tangled rope I'd been grasping tied to them, too.
I don't remember their names or even the all the details of what they shared. I don't know what has happened to those young mothers and their children in the years since. But they have not left me, and they made me know that I'd have to be in service to New Moms, Inc. in more ways in the future.
That time is now.
We have an opportunity to donate - TOGETHER - a brand new, beautiful nursery set to a very young mother who is very much in need at New Moms, Inc. Partnering with HGTV Home, I am asking you to comment LIKE CRAZY on this post and to SHARE IT like a mother so that we can get a baby into a crib.
Here's how this works:
HGTV Home will provide a nursery set from their brand new Hayden Collection (look at it here - so mid-century fabulous) to one organization that serves mothers. There is a whole crew of bloggers vying for this donation for some wonderful and deserving causes. But I am determined to get that collection to New Moms, Inc. Will you help me?
All you have to do is COMMENT below (in the Rafflecopter widget). Tell me about a moment another mama helped you feel less afraid or alone. Tell us all about how you get to your spiritual center.
COULD IT GET MORE AWESOME? YES. Yes, indeed.
Just by commenting, YOU ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE TO WIN AN HGTV HOME HAYDEN NURSERY COLLECTION.
That's right, mamas. For your baby-on-the-way, for your best lady-friend's baby, for a grandchild, to donate to an organization that you feel as passionately about as I do New Moms, Inc.
One of the commenters on the posts surrounding this campaign will be randomly selected to win this lovely set.
I bet you want to know more about New Moms, Inc.
For 30 years, New Moms has been equipping struggling, impoverished adolescent parents (aged 13-24) and their children with the personal and workforce development tools they will need, to permanently change their life stories from chronic dependence on society, to economic independence and family stability. New Moms offers loving, safe and stable housing, case management, supportive community, screenings and programming for children, and training in career-readiness, parenting, literacy and life skills for the mothers. More than 3,000 mothers and many, many children have been served by this innovative and empowering organization.
I imagine you'd also like more details on this nursery set.
The nursery set is by HGTV Home Baby Hayden Collection, sold exclusively through buybuyBABY stores nationwide. The crib converts to a toddler bed, and later, to TWO twin headboards - great for siblings and sleepovers. More product details and pricing can be found here. Beautiful, right?
NOW IT IS TIME TO WORK TOGETHER FOR MOMS WHO NEED US MOST.
Do that by commenting in the Rafflecopter widget below. And if you are so inclined, please give your good thoughts and support to New Moms, Inc. The more comments RIGHT HERE, the more likely young moms in need will get the chance to put their sweet babies in one of these crib sets and the more likely one of you is to win a nursery collection as well!
Disclosure: HGTV Home is providing my new baby with a portion of the Hayden Collection to celebrate the birth of my new baby and as compensation for hosting this giveaway on Sassafrass. They join me in honoring the good works of New Moms, Inc. and other organizations bloggers are highlighting to support mothers.
Reader Comments (12)
My wife was having trouble breastfeeding our first child and her milk gave out after a few months, we later also found out that she was suffering from postpartum depression. We were barely scrapping by and couldn't afford to go get professional help. People would always just shrug it off and say "oh it'll get better" and "it's just a lack of sleep." But then a fellow mom we hadn't seen awhile came to visit it turned our life around. She gave true encouragement and wanted to help because she had been in a similar circumstance. She was pumping at the time for her twins and gave us her extra milk. She truly went that extra mile. All it takes is one person and the willingness to help that can change the life of a whole family.
I find my spiritual center every night when I check on my boys before I go to bed - seeing them soundly sleeping in contorted positions or sitting upright when I lean in for a kiss and sleep talking nonsensically. In that moment, when all is calm, I can accept that I am doing the best I can, and we are doing okay.
At just two weeks old, I noticed a lump in my newborn daughter’s neck. Naturally alarmed I raced to the doctor with horrible thoughts swirling in my mind. We learned she had torticollis. Mildly defined – a strained neck muscle (google it).
For the next 10 months, two times a week I would hand my little peanut over to a therapist that helped stretch her neck muscles and correct her position. This woman, a nurturing mom, took my daughter in her arms and not only performed the necessary “job duties” but also made her feel safe and protected outside her mama’s arms. As I sat there each week, I was also comforted by this woman, who would always celebrate the milestones we reached and would talk me “down from the ledge” when we were lagging behind on others. As a brand new mom dealing with so many emotions I was so grateful for her support. We would leave therapy feeling relaxed and somehow knowing it was totally going to be fine.
My favorite Mama friend often shares her stories of the tough parts of motherhood. So often, I find that mothers want to fluff it up & make it look so simple . . . but she is a breath of fresh air! And my spiritual center comes every morning when I walk my daughter to school. When I look at just how beautiful she is & how grateful I am to be able to walk, talk & share conversation with her, I'm reminded of how much God loves me too.
A favorite Mama friend of mine sends me photo-texts of her toddler doing "mundane" things that are totally new and exciting to him. "Hi Dana," she writes, "we are busy eating carrots!" "Hi Auntie D, we love reading this book over and over and over and over again!" "Hi D! We are too tired to take off our rain boots to nap" These little funny one-line stories help me keep a sense of playfulness and childlike curiosity in my daily life, and remind me that miracles can happen in small, daily, "mundane" ways - and that I have the ability to choose to open my eyes and heart to them.
My children and I have morning prayer together at breakfast before starting school--that time is so special to me and im centered for the day! i have so many wonderful examples of motherhood with the women at my church, they are always there for support, guidance and laughter. thank you for the giveaway!
*kelly
kelly-tillotson@hotmail.com
A week after having my daughter I got Bell's palsy and it was so scary because the Dr tells you that it could be permanent. Luckily I recovered a few months after but not fully, i still see a little difference but im grateful i can atleast smile now. That was probably the hardest and most painful thing I've gone through. I would have rather been in labor. What was suppose to be a happy time in my life was ruined by Bell's palsy and I'm grateful for my mom that was there to help out for at least the first 2 weeks because me and my husband live 3 hours away from anyone that I know. After those first 2 weeks she called everyday and was always looking for ways to help me out even if she couldn't always be there physically.
my mom helped me feel less afraid and alone when I had my 1st daughter. My husband and I were so scared because we had no experience with babies and didn't know what to do. But because of her we got through it just fine with her amazing advice and loving hugs. Now pregnant with my second shortly after having my first, again I turned to my mom with concern because we moved an hour away from everyone and now I have a young toddler with another baby on the way I was unsure how I could manage. But my mom reassured me that us woman are strong, and so many have gone through this including my mom with being 3 hours away from people with 3 kids to raise on her own. She definitely is my inspiration and makes things feel so much easier
I just want to say, this is so so cool that you are doing this. Also, what an incredible journey to lead you here. Truly inspiring.
I am expecting my first child, a boy, and he will be gracing us with his presence in just 9 weeks. We are very excited but it has been a scary journey as well. I have had such a great support system from family and friends. On our first ultrasound they had found a spot on his brain, spinal fluid buildup basically, but the side effects could've been a factor of Trisomy 18, thankfully every checkup since then he spot has disappeared!! But of course during the initial waiting period I was panicking and relied on friends and family for good words and prayers. A fellow mommy friend had went through this same experience with her first son and said it was a very common thing to find and that they normally would disappear. Her encouragement throughout the waiting period is what helped me not worry so much about it and know that everything would turn out fine. He is a growing healthy boy and we can't wait to meet him on July 16th!!!
I am pregnant and a first time mom and i already love her and i thank God for everything he has given me.
We moved across country when my son was 17 months old and I was about 7 months pregnant. (I was NOT happy about the move at the time!) While I sat in our driveway directing movers where to bring each box, our new neighbors came over and introduced themselves. They had a 2-year-old boy and the warmest smiles I'd seen in a long time. Seeing my big belly, the woman invited us all to dinner at their house that night, knowing we'd be exhausted from the move. I can't tell you how relieved and welcome I felt. Seven years later, we are as close as sisters. I was and am so grateful to my kind friend.