Greetings!

As COVID guidelines continue to impose restrictions on in-person meetings, PEPS is co mmitted to finding creative ways to continue to connect and support parents during this very isolating time  .

PEPS recently hosted a Virtual event for GiveBIG and brought our community together to practice Mindfulness. It was wonderful to see and hear everyone sharing about what things are bringing them joy in these difficult times. PEPS Executive Director Dana Guy and Program Director Kintea Bryant shared on how PEPS is adapting to COVID-19. Jamie Elzea, Executive Director at the Washington Association for Infant Mental Health , led the group through interactive exercises that helped reflect on habits and tendencies with regards to mindfulness and how this can help individuals cope during these uncertain times.

With all your help, PEPS continues to provide all new parents with the much needed Social Support in Times of Social Distancing.

Warm regards,
Swarnima
Leader Impact Specialist, PEPS
It's that time of year!
Visit Your Relatives Day encourages us to visit our relatives and loved ones. This day is intended to give us the opportunity to get closer to our relatives, and to build (or re-build) family ties and relationships.

Here is how you can manage to safely share a meal when you can’t be in the same place! See this guide to connect virtually over dinner!

In this time of physical distancing, when we are unable to meet together in person, let's find ways to stay connected at a distance.




PEPS A dvanced Facilitation Training for Leaders
E motional Changes and Challenges
This training held on May 14th, 2020 provided insight into ways to facilitate and address potential challenges that might arise during your PEPS groups when presenting this topic. 

The PEPS Program Team hosted this training online over Zoom. 25 attendees included leaders who have led anywhere from 1 to 25 groups and also PEPS speakers and staff.

Mia Edidin , LICSW, Clinical Director at Perinatal Support Washington   explained the relevance of this topic to new parents and gave a comprehensive presentation highlighting its significance in current times as well as best practices for facilitating this heavy subject .

Leaders used break out rooms to practice the three facilitation aspects of introducing the topic, transitioning to and from the video, as well as closing the discussion.

How can I talk to my gro up about emotional changes and challenges right now? How do I address the added grief ?

We recognize that the topic of “Emotional Changes and Challenges” is different via virtual meetings. At this time we are requesting leaders to share this new video with your group before you discuss this topic, usually the 5th group meeting.

Please introduce the topic and after initial discussion, share the link. Allow all participants to watch it individually and then discuss it. Some leaders have been showing the video during their virtual meetings via screen sharing.

Please refer to this Training Event Summary which talks about how Leaders should create a safe space, acknowledge the feelings shared, and steer parents away from agonizing over any feeling of guilt and see themselves as successful. 

If there is a specific question you would like addressed, or you have some ideas that worked well for you please email [email protected] and we will include it here.
PEPS upcoming Events

You are a parent. And you want to take care of your child’s emotional and financial security while you are here - and even after. 

Join PEPS and Temple De Hirsch Sinai for a virtual presentation by Megan Gebhardt , estate planning professional, that will open the discussion around end-of-life planning and decisions, along with what steps families can take to create a will.
When: Wednesday, May 20, 2020 at 7 - 8:30pm
Where: Virtual event - Sign up here
PEPS Group Leader Profile

Meet Jennifer Lyons

Hi, I'm Jen Lyons. I first got involved with PEPS in 2013, when I participated in a newborn group with my now 7-year-old. He was the youngest baby in our PEPS group, and when we attended our first group meeting, it was my first time out of the house alone with him. He was only 10 days old. I live in the Renton area, and back when I was a new mom, PEPS was just starting to gain momentum in my area, which meant that the moms in my group were from all over the place. To have our weekly meetings at each other's houses, we traveled with our newborns to and from Renton, Newcastle, Bellevue, Issaquah, Sammamish, and Snoqualmie (we were nothing if not dedicated!).

After my wonderful experience as a PEPS participant, I became interested in becoming a leader, as well as working to support PEPS South Region Community Connector Polly Jirkovsky's goals of helping PEPS reach more parents in my area. I led a daytime newborn group in 2018 and just finished leading my second newborn group in April. PEPS has grown so much in South King County! In my most recent group, all of the moms lived within a 10-minute drive of each other, allowing them to better be able to support each other and stay connected . Even though our group did half of our meetings online, it was clear to see how important the PEPS connection is for new parents. I'm so excited to see how much PEPS has expanded, and grateful to have been able to play even a small role in its success!

Way to go Jen!

Click  here  to share your story.

Resources for you
Self-care is vital for ourselves and for the happiness of our family. It is not selfish, and it’s not a “luxury” that you can do without.
Mindful self-compassion begins with internal awareness and self-care and extends to building reflective capacity and compassion as we strive to fulfill our children’s expectations and desires.
Help us maintain these Leader Resources, email [email protected].
PEPS Sponsor Spotlight
Washington College Savings Plans (WA529) is proud to be a supporter of PEPS

Today’s children are tomorrow’s future leaders and preparing them for that is every parent’s goal. We believe that helping families navigate the college savings landscape is the cornerstone of our work. Every good plan begins with a decision, so we aim to provide resources, education and support for every family’s savings goal through connection and communication.
Families have a lot of financial commitments and it’s easy to put off saving until later. Our suggestion is to simply start early, and with any amount. The savings will grow, and the effort will become easier once you see the results. 

We are proud to provide two valuable programs ( Guaranteed Education Tuition (GET) and the DreamAhead College Investment plan ) to help Washington families save for higher education. Visit our website to compare the programs side by side and determine which is best for your situation!
Tips & Tricks
You should have received the latest Tips & Tricks Newsletter via email on May 3rd.

Thank you to all the leaders who are adding to the collective wisdom by sharing what parents in their group have been talking about.

Topics: Perinatal Mood and Anxiety Disorders, Screen time and Technology, Self-Compassion and Mindfulness.


Reminders


Access a network of PEPS Group Leaders and   participate in discussions . To get started, search on Facebook for "PEPS Group Leaders" and click on the "groups" tab. Once you've answered a question and are approved, you're in! 

*Ask questions *Offer wisdom, tips, and ideas to other facilitators *Post a link to an article on facilitation, parent support, or other related topics. 
Help us add more resources for our participants, enhance our Leader trainings and improve the experience for all members of the PEPS family! Please remember to submit your weekly meeting reports to [email protected] 
You are the best ambassador to illustrate the benefits and joys of the PEPS Group Leader position! As you lead your group, please describe your experience to your group members. Parents from your group can  become PEPS leaders too.
Email us with your questions and suggestions! We are here to help.