P.A.C.E.

PACE (Parenting and Childhood Education) has been picked as a Top Nominee in the 2024 Washington Parent Picks reader-favorite contest! You can vote for PACE once per day throughout the month of August - we’d love your support! Link to vote in bio and stories

Sage advice from first time mom, Lyana! So many moms need to hear this ♥️

As difficult as it may feel, give yourself GRACE, especially in the early days of postpartum. You are learning and meeting the needs of someone brand new to the world including discovering a new version of yourself.

Even if you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing, everyday is an opportunity to keep practicing, caring, and understanding your baby that will make you more competent.

Everything is a season even when it feels so hard, so try to enjoy the coos and baby smiles along the way.

This mama is keeping it 100% real about the postpartum period. Jessica is sharing her advice for new, or expecting, moms, and it’s legit!

“I wish someone would have told me more about how trying the postpartum stage can be. I was not fully prepared for the amount of healing my body needed to go through or the emotional roller coaster I would be on. That stage is when I felt most fragile- physically and emotionally. So, to new moms I say everyone’s postpartum recovery journey looks different but be tender with yourself. Know that you may need to sit down, lift your feet and cry it out, and that is okay. I’m giving you permission to embrace all the feels, the welcomed and unwelcome. Know that you will be back at it in no time. If you have help, take it and tell them what you need. Just remember to love on yourself even more, mama.”

We couldn’t agree more, Jessica! Thank you for sharing and reminding all mamas to give themselves grace.

At PACE, we celebrate moms and babies every day - not just Mother’s Day. But as we approach this day dedicated to the love, commitment, and hard work of moms everywhere, it’s a perfect time to help us make an even greater impact for moms and babies across our region. As a member of our community, we are reaching out and asking you to make a donation to PACE on this special day!

When you make a donation to PACE, you’re helping us:
* Offer scholarships to moms who might otherwise not be able to participate in a PACE group without financial assistance
* Meet the demand of moms on the waiting list to get the support they need during their most critical postpartum period
* Provide more groups, especially in-person and hybrid format, to maximize the number of moms served across the DMV

Link to donate also in stories-
https://bit.ly/pacedonation

First time mom, Caitlin, has sage advice for pregnant or new parents. She recently welcomed the beautiful Amelia to her family, and after a few months, these are the things she’s learned and wants to pass along.

“One thing I’ve learned as a mom is that two starkly different feelings can be true at the same time, and that is ok. Being a mom has been exhausting, anxiety inducing, and stressful. You are responsible for a brand new human AND yourself?! It can feel like too much at times. But, there is simultaneously so much joy in it. Seeing her first smile, listening to her coo, rocking her to sleep, and contact naps all make me so happy I could explode! It took some practice, but I’ve come to accept this and allow myself to feel all the feelings as they come. It’s been a rollercoaster!

A piece of advice - if it works for you, your baby, and your family, then it works. I put so much pressure on myself to do the “right” thing based on all the books and random Instagram accounts. It’s torture trying to follow “advice” or the “rule” when it simply does not jive with your baby. I’ve had to do what works for me and my family right now, and trust that all will fall into place as time goes on.”

We couldn’t agree more Caitlin! Do what works for you!

Today we’re bringing you all from real PACE mom, Chrissy. She recently completed a VA group with her daughter, Lila. These are her helpful tips for new, or expecting, moms!

“My advice for new moms is to not be afraid to accept and ask for help! A new baby is a huge change, and friends and family can help make the transition a little easier. 

Meal help is especially wonderful those first few weeks. If you feel comfortable, having someone watch the baby while you grab a nap is also great. Even just reaching out to friends to talk or text is something that helped me a lot mentally, along with talking through my struggles and anxieties at PACE with my fellow moms. You are not alone!”

A few weeks ago we announced Judy Itkin’s retirement from PACE, and asked all of you to comment if she had been your leader. BOY did you guys deliver! We had such an overwhelming response that we decided to post some of the comments we received, and open up the link again to send Judy a message. Link in stories! Or go here: https://bit.ly/PACE-Judy

Judy means so much to so many people! We want her to feel all the love as she enters retirement

A few pictures of our remarkable matriarch, Judy- including her own pace group in 1981, and with her own pace baby, Samantha ♥️

Happy Retirement, Judy! The postpartum support community can never thank you enough for your years of selfless service.

After 31 years of dedication to PACE, the absolutely irreplaceable, Judy Itkin, has announced her retirement.  She has given PACE so much of her time, talent, and energy through her many roles in the organization. From a nonprofit standpoint, she has been invaluable and instrumental as scheduler, registrar, and President of PACE for 13 years.  However, any mom from one of Judy’s groups will tell you, her most important role will always be group leader.

Judy just has a way with connecting to new moms. Her warmth, funny stories, and relatable experiences as a mother of three have always brought her groups together in a way that’s unmatched. Her willingness to go above and beyond for the moms she served has not gone unnoticed.

Our fearless leader, our matriarch. PACE would never be where it is today, in our 50th year, without Judy. She has touched so many moms, changed so many lives. She has earned these years of rest and relaxation. It has been an honor to serve the postpartum community in the DMV beside her. Enjoy your retirement Judy, PACE will certainly miss you.  ♥️

If Judy was your leader, please leave a comment or message below, or add a message on the link in stories. She’d love to hear from you.

PACE is excited to feature one of our most recent alums, Jessica! Jessica just completed a hybrid group with her baby, Nathan. She has this sage advice for mamas to be:

Recognize it will take time to get to know your baby. The first 8-12 weeks are really tough and part of that is because you are still meeting your baby. After a couple of months though, you will understand and know your baby so much better, and it will give you far more confidence as a parent. It’s not only the first smiles and giggles that bring joy around 2-3 months but also learning your baby’s unique personality! Nathan is so curious and friendly at 4 months, and I can’t wait to watch him grow.

We, too, can’t wait to watch Nathan grow as a child, and Jessica as a mom!

We’re looking for new leaders!
Here is the job posting:
https://bit.ly/pace-leader

Go to our Contact page to apply:
https://www.pacemoms.org/contact

PACE has served over 850 first and second time moms in the DMV this year, providing support, education, resources, and community. We never want to cost to stop someone from getting the support they need; in 2023 our generous donors allowed us to offer $10,000 in scholarships.

Please consider donating so even more moms can join a PACE group without having to worry about payment: https://www.pacemoms.org/pace-scholarship-fund. We are so grateful for everyone in the PACE community.

PACE is proud to share real advice from the real moms we serve. Below are words of wisdom from first time mom, Alex.

Motherhood is everything I wanted and nothing I expected. I am so thrilled to have been a part of PACE and cannot recommend it enough.

I have 5 pieces of advice for new moms: 

1.  Be flexible; plans will change. Be willing to adapt and keep moving forward.
2. Your story as a mom is uniquely yours, nobody else’s - honor that and own it.
3. Clap for other moms' wins and celebrate your own. Someone else's success doesn't mean you're failing. Avoid comparing yourself or your baby to others. 
4. Set aside a weekly time to deeply connect with a mom friend through a walk, coffee, or phone call. Get vulnerable and be honest, it’s ok! This connection is good for your mental health and theirs as well. 
5. Nobody knows your body or your child better than you do. If something feels wrong, go with your gut and just call the doctor! 

October is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. The general public sometimes doesn’t understand that loss parents don’t want the children they’ve lost to be a taboo topic, to be whispered about when parents aren’t around. They want the world to talk about their children, Earth side or not, because they matter and are loved. So please, if you’re comfortable, share the name of the child, or children, you’ve lost in the comments. We will say their names, proudly and with love.

📸:

This October, we’re honoring Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.

1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. Even though the numbers suggest this is a common occurrence, the topic still remains taboo to publicly discuss. We are working hard to let every mother know they aren’t alone, that grief support and resources are available.

We send love today, and every day, to anyone who’s experienced the devastation of pregnancy or infant loss.

I read recently that “the village” it takes to raise kids now a days costs money. Childcare, night nurses, cleaning services, food prep, etc- but what doesn’t cost you anything is to give your support.

If every mom supported every other mom she knows, emotionally and mentally encouraging and reassuring her, imagine the difference that would make in the world of motherhood. Just extending a metaphorical hand to the mothers around you could make a world of difference to a struggling mom who feels so alone. You could be her village and she could be yours.

PACE hopes we help facilitate . Because it truly does take a village.

Openings for Virtual DC Second time moms group starting September 29. Get the support and community to help with this transition! Let your friends know.
Contact: [email protected]

Last 2 days to Vote for PACE as a Washington Parent Pick in the Parent Education and Support, Mom or Dad support groups!
Please go to https://washingtonparent.com/washington-parent-picks/ to show your support for PACE!!!

Exciting news! PACE is a Top Nominee in the 2023 Washington Parent Picks in the category of Parent Education & Support; Best Mom or Dad Support Groups!

Did you love your PACE group? You can vote once a day! Please help PACE become a winner by going to this link: Washington Parent Picks 2023 (https://washingtonparent.com/washington-parent-picks/ #/gallery?group=453650)
Let’s show the DMV how much PACE really means to the community!

While we love our Alum Moms, we also have to give credit to our current PACE moms. They’re in the trenches right now, day in and day out, with a newborn. Sometimes the advice they share is better than anything we could ever suggest. Below is advice from first time mom, Allyson. She recently had her beautiful baby, Caleb, and she shared what she’d want other soon to be moms to know.

“I have a few pieces of advice.
1. Trust your instincts. There are so many “rules” when it comes to raising a child, but you really know what is best for your baby. I read too much about what it was “supposed” to be like and for me it was so different which made me question everything I was doing.

2. Don’t compare yourself to other moms and don’t compare your baby to other babies. I did this and it only made things worse! All babies have different temperaments, so what works for one baby will not always work for another.

3. Ask for help! Whether it is mentally or physically you do not have to do it alone. I found out that way more moms struggle with postpartum disorders than the statistics will tell you, so don’t think you are alone if you feel anxious or depressed (or both, like me!) I started therapy, taking an SSRI, and meeting with a PACE group shortly after giving birth. I found that my PACE group ended up being more helpful to me than therapy and I was excited for it each week.

4. It will get easier and better! A lot of moms shared this advice with me and I didn’t believe them. I thought it would always be hard and I would never enjoy being a mom.”

Allyson, you are so wise! We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.

Our last alum spotlight for the month goes to Liz! She took a group in 2021, sharing her experience below:

“I signed up for PACE when Eleanor was 6 weeks ago. Eleanor was a tough, tough baby who was never happy, never slept and cried 80% of the time she was awake. 6 weeks was a particularly rough week where things felt impossible. While a lot of my friends have children, no one was going though the newborn stage (or had easier experiences overall) and I just wanted someone else in the trenches not just smiling and telling me "it will get better" but telling me "yea, this sucks." I distinctly remember when I signed up for PACE -- I was sitting outside having a cup of coffee and thinking about how I needed SOMETHING to get through this. It then dawned on me that my friend had highly recommended PACE from her own experience and I never looked back.

Joining PACE was one of the best decisions I made in my early motherhood life. I immediately felt like I had a small bit of structure back in my life and instantly felt heard and seen. It was a game changer. I feel incredibly lucky to have been assigned the PACE group I was -- we all immediately bonded, sharing intimate details of our lives within minutes of meeting each other and that has set the foundation for some of the strongest friendships I've had in my adult life. I can truly say my role as a mother would not be as joyful if not for PACE.”

Liz’s WhatsAPP chat is constantly going - still, almost 2 years later! They routinely meet up with and without babies and with and without partners. Her group and the community they’ve built together is the epitome of PACE.

Honoring Our History, Celebrating Our Future!

We have so much appreciation and love for the moms we’ve worked with over the last 50 years. As we look back on some of their testimonials, it’s important to acknowledge that PACE is nothing without the community we serve.

Honoring Our History, Celebrating Our Future!

We’re gonna start off our week with sharing reflections from PACE alum, Amy! She has two kids, took a PACE group in 2015 and 2017, and shares her experience below:

“I tell everyone I know who is expecting their first child that they must join a PACE group! Even if you have tons of friends who have had kids before, there is nothing like going through it with people at the same stage as you (especially since we forget so much as our kids get older!). Sometimes it was just really helpful to see/hear about others going through the same struggles so I knew I wasn’t alone, but also to have a cheering squad when things were going right. Our group was also a major support group when any of us were stuck in a bind especially for last minute childcare.

My daughter goes to summer camp with another girl from our group and they loved telling everyone that they’ve known each other since they were born!”

Honoring Our History, Celebrating Our Future!

To round out our weekly spotlights, today we have the terrific Traci! Traci has two children, taking a PACE group in 2015 and 2018. She shares her reflections on the experience below;

“PACE was a lifesaver for me. The first time I went I was sure every other first time mom had it all together, but when I arrived and we collectively struggled to disassemble our car seat-stroller contraptions and took turns crying, leaking milk, and sharing our struggles I saw I wasn’t alone. In those lonely winter days where I was the first of my friends to have a baby I relied on my PACE mom friends to get me through those dark weeks. Now, 8 and a half years later, we still gather for brunch and text about summer camps, swim lessons, and all of the other adventures in parenting we’re still figuring out together”

Her groups still text and meet up for regular brunches.

Honoring Our History, Celebrating Our Future!