Greetings!
As we close out the year, December gives us a moment to pause, connect, and reflect on the many journeys that shape perinatal mental health in our communities. This month, we’re sharing a powerful story on paternal postpartum depression, honoring the emotional complexities of adoption, and highlighting one of our incredible Warm Line volunteers whose compassion supports parents every day. We’re also in the midst of our year-end fundraising campaign to ensure every parent has a place to turn when they need it most. Thank you for being part of this work—this month and every month.
| An Interview on PPD with Author Daniel Tam-Claiborne | |
In this heartfelt interview, multiracial writer, multimedia producer, and nonprofit director Daniel Tam-Claiborne shares his parenthood journey. An important testimonial on the often-overlooked dad perspective. "I expected that caring for my daughter would be difficult, but I didn’t anticipate being faced with a depression so all-consuming I spent many nights in tears. I’m lucky not to have had significant bouts of depression in my life, but as a result, I was wholly unprepared for what happened after my daughter’s birth. I loathed the relentlessness. I dreaded the sudden fits. But I also found myself seized by a hopelessness I’d never before experienced. I saw my old self slipping away, and with it, the simple joys that made life worth living."
| This Holiday Season, Please Donate in Honor of Your, and Every Parent's Journey | |
Every parent’s path through conception, pregnancy, and early parenthood is unique — filled with joy, uncertainty, and countless challenges. This holiday season, our fundraiser theme “For Every Journey” honors the truth that no two experiences are the same, and that every parent, parent-to-be, or anyone trying to become a parent deserves support, understanding, and care along the way. We are here for all of it.
Through our Warm Line, therapy, and peer support programs, we provide affirming, culturally and experientially matched care that meets each parent where they are. And thanks to generous supporters like you, our services are free of charge to those who need it most.
| A Retrospective for National Adoption Month | November was National Adoption month and we wanted to share two perspectives on adoption, one personal and one professional. We start with a deeply moving personal story of an adoptive parent, who navigated the postpartum period with identity issues, overwhelm from the legal system, and mental and physical health challenges. We are also sharing a resource from a Foster Care Operations professional written to others in the field. | |
“Yes, This Is My Baby—Please Don’t Ask Me How" by Anonymous Mom
"Within my relationship to my own autonomy and body, I struggled. Physically, I knew I shared many of the telltale signs of new parenthood, the dark eye circles, messy mom bun, and obligatory soft pants. But body dysmorphia haunted me, feeling questioning eyes tracing me wherever we went. I did not have a recovering postpartum body and didn’t look like I had earned my baby. I struggled with the relationship to my body’s lack of ability to feed them. As a new mom to this baby, but not a new mom generally, I felt estranged from the new mommy clubs in their excitement and novelty."
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“Helping a Family Become a ‘Forever Family’ Through Adoption” by Zia Freeman
"Women may feel depressed after placement and have hormonal changes occur. She may feel guilty that she is not bonding quickly with the baby or child and blame it on a lack of relatedness. Parents need to know that a lack of attachment is very typical when having a child of any age, even if they are a birth child or a relative."
"Remember, to grow a healthy family it takes commitment, time, tears, laughter, flexibility, acceptance, and yes, love. Adoption is not a perfect path, nor does an adoptive family have to be perfect. But as in most worthwhile endeavors in our lives, preparation and personal insight can make the path a little smoother."
| Our Volunteer of the Year! | |
We are pleased to share an interview with our Volunteer of the Year Rachael Katz. Read more about how she found the Warm Line, what she typically sees when parents call, and the role of peer support. Our Warm Line Manager says of Rachael:
"Rachael has been a volunteer with the Warm Line for over 3 years, and from the beginning has been a standout volunteer in the way she shows up to support parents calling the Warm Line. Rachael is skilled at holding space for parents to say all the hard things that need saying. She leaves no stone unturned in her search for resources and has served many Warm Line parents well beyond our week-long regular service because they feel so seen and supported by her. For example, in our user survey, one parent responded that she felt very well looked after during what felt like a crisis and was very grateful for the support! Rachael can make connections with callers over the phone, which is no easy feat. With her calming voice, words, presence, and ability to provide validation and education about the struggles of the perinatal period, Rachael has a real skill set for helping parents feel at ease so they can explore their feelings, cry, grieve, and come to acceptance. Thank you, Rachael, for all you have given to the Warm Line and the parents you have supported over the years! We appreciate you so much!"
"Rachael was amazing and so helpful. The Warm Line was a life changing resource and I will recommend it whenever I can."
-Warm Line caller
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