What an exciting and challenging time!
If you
are new to being a parent, you may find yourself alternately caught
up in the wonder of magical moments and milestones and the anxiety of
wondering if you're "doing it right". For some parents,
especially first-time parents, it may sometimes feel that you are not
doing it right -- perhaps often! But as one who has been there
before you, I would like to state unequivocally that the real
difference between parents who enjoy parenting and those who
do not is the simple and profound commitment to learn as you
go and "not to take it all too seriously".
Even potentially
risky childhood accidents are more
smoothly and positively resolved if the parent is reasonably
prepared, can stay calm, and can keep a sense of humor. To illustrate, I still remember the time my
first daughter -- a young toddler at the time -- began choking on a
overly large bite of bread during a playgroup outing at a local restaurant.
Obviously, the incident could have become a tragic disaster. But
thanks to our entire playgroup having taken infant &
toddler CPR
together, and my personal commitment to staying calm, it was simply
comic farce.
In fact, my friends still chuckle over the way I barely
paused in conversation as I tossed my toddler over my knee and
administered a few well-placed back thumps as if it were nothing more
than a routine burping. The bread flew out, the coughing reflex
returned, and lunch went on. Naturally I learned to monitor that
particular child's bread chewing a bit more closely! But
the fact remains children will surprise you no matter how
vigilant and prepared you try to be.
As I hope this story demonstrates, the best
advice motto for parents may well be, "Learn whatever I can and
just don't panic." And above all, try to enjoy the "ride"
that is being a new parent.
Considering that someday you will look back on
all this and laugh, why not start now? Listed
at right you will find some excellent
resources to help learn what you need to know to sail through your
child's first year a bit easier. These resources include: support groups,
classes, helpful books, and on-line information.
Support Groups -- Santa Clara
County
For additional support opportunities, be sure
to check out our Play
Groups page!
Breastfeeding Support Group Good Samaritan Hospital 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose CA (408) 559-2229 (BABY)
A great resource for nursing mothers seeking
support and information. A lactation consultant facilitates this
free, drop-in group which meets every Tuesday afternoon, from 2-2:30 P.M.
New Mother's Support Group Good Samaritan Hospital 2425 Samaritan Drive, San Jose CA (408) 559-2229 (BABY)
Facilitated by a nurse instructor, this drop-in
support group is provided for mothers of infants up to six months of
age. Groups meets every Wednesday morning from 9-11 A.M. There is no cost.
First 5 of Santa Cruz County (831)
465-2217
Kit for New Parents contains parenting videos, kids books and
general information at no cost.
Grupo de Apoyo (831)
476-7284
Spanish-speaking mother's support group.
Health Education
(S.C. County Health Services Agency)
(831) 454-4141
Car seat information.
La Leche League(831) 425-3088
Nursing Mothers Counsel
(831)688-3954
Parents Center of Santa Cruz and
Watsonville
Santa Cruz- (831) 426-7322 24-hr
Watsonville- (831) 724-2879 24-hr
Professional counseling for parents and families. Parent support
groups, parenting skill classes, education and counseling for
prevention of child abuse and strengthening of families.
Parents with Disabilities Support Group
(831)
336-1721
Postpartum Distress Support Group(831)
454-1206
Teenage Mother’s Group
(FHEC) (831) 457-0334
A facilitated peer support and parenting information group for any
mother 12-19 years of age.
Women's Crisis Support / Defensa de
Mujeres
(831) 685-3737
24 hour Crisis Line
Unfortunately we don't have the resources
to track -- or list -- the classes and support groups available in every
area. But we urge you to check your local
hospital or birth center, community center, churches, and the YWCA,
for information about local support available to you.
Nursing Mothers Counsel Non-profit, volunteer group
provides information and support for breastfeeding mothers, breast pump
rentals and sales. Contra Costa Co., (925) 222-4371. Santa Clara Co.,
(408) 272-1448. San Mateo Co., (650) 327-MILK. San Francisco, South San
Francisco, East Bay, Marin Co., (415) 386-2229.
Bay Area La Leche
League Referrals
S.F. Bay Area referral
phones (to locate a LLL leader/meeting near you):
Diablo/Contra Costa County, (925) 274-3748.
East Bay, (510) 496-6009
Marin County, (415) 381-9428
North Bay/Sonoma County, (707) 823-9480
San Francisco/Peninsula, (650) 363-1470.
Santa Clara County, (408) 264-0994
Useful Links
For great information on
prenatal health
as well as important tips
on caring for your baby, try:
For even more great on-line
information, surf the rest of our website,
and be sure to visit our
resource page:
Books
What
To Expect The First Year,
by Arlene Eisenberg, Heidi E.
Murkoff, and Sandee E. Hathaway, B.S.N.
If you only buy one reference
book to advise you during your child's first year, this should be it.
In addition to 12 comprehensive and illuminating month by month
chapters covering development, common problems &
solutions, and
etc., this book also features units on what to purchase and prepare
before your baby is born , how to cope in the first six weeks,
beating post-partum depression, recipes for breastfeeding moms, plus
first-aid info and how to recognize and treat babies illnesses, and
much more.
