Over forty years have passed since my friends and I initiated a radical societal concept. We wanted to support new families in our community. We were feminists and social activists. That meant we believed men and women shared equally in the conception, birthing and raising of our children. We established a postpartum parent support network that has sustained itself since July 1, 1977.
During the 1980s my focus became centered on maternal mental health. I learned about mental health related to childbearing. While the research continues to emphasize the woman I don’t believe this is a women’s issue. It is time to use the word parent, rather than mother. My latest edition of I’m Listening—A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families brings men into the equation. I prefer the term “parental mental health.”
It is my hope that we will switch our language to be more inclusive. Families and our communities will be healthier if we focus on the mental wellness of all parents.
I hate secrets and the pain that comes with them. I share mine, and much more, in My Diary. It was originally published in 2000 as part of Step by Step. Fifteen years later it feels timely to update My Diary with a prologue, a photo album, and an epilogue. The book also celebrates fifty years since I met and fell in love with my husband. My life’s work continues because of his unwavering support.
It is no secret that I wouldn’t be the person I am today had we not met on the street where we lived that summer of love in 1965. We hope you’ll enjoy reading about our trading platforms for ethereum journey.
I’m pleased to announce that my book I’m Listening: A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families has been updated and is now available on Amazon. It has been 12 years since I wrote the original version. While the content and message remain the same this edition is in a larger format and is a companion book to my Community Support for New Families. It is designed to assist individuals and communities who are committed to providing support to new families. It is to the point, easy to understand and put into practice. Emotional support delivered over the telephone, through emails or in person is critical to well being. This Guide reflects who I am; open, honest and helpful. I am pragmatic and believe in the need for human connections. I sincerely hope that readers will be able to use what I’ve learned from listening to others.
Community Support for New Families, A Guide to Organizing a Postpartum Parent Support Network in Your Community is about to be published. Praeclarus Press inspired me to revise my original Step by Step Guide that I wrote and self-publish in 2000. This updated book is intended to reach a broader audience than my initial effort. I have publisher Kathleen Kendall-Tackett to thank for expanding my horizon. The format remains the same. It is a workbook that will take you through the process of developing what to do and how to meet the needs of new families, but it will also help you re organized yours. My philosophy is that it takes community team work and cooperation to accomplish this task. It is not a complex effort but it is methodical. Harvey Karp, MD reviewed the book and called it “…this crisp, clear handbook”. Verta Taylor, Ph.D. commented, “…a must-read for physicians, therapists and activists…”. Valerie Wilson, wife, mother of twins, and former covert CIA ops officer said, “…a pragmatic approach to a fundamental human need to reach out and help others. I know from my own experience in establishing a successful postpartum support network that it requires a methodical, precise process to ensure effectiveness and longevity.” The launch is set for June 21 and 22 at the Postpartum Support International Annual Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It is only fitting that I be surrounded by those who are continuing my vision that there should be a postpartum parent support network in every community in the world. I hope to meet many new pioneers on my life’s journey to achieve this grand goal. www.PraeclarusPress.com
I’m thrilled to share that my postpartum support books have been translated into Chinese. This opportunity began in March 2012 when 黄骐Queena Hwang joined PSI and she then introduced herself to me in an email from her home in Mainland China.
Queena, who was born and raised in Beijing, is a licensed psychotherapist, who runs personal growth workshops. After her university entrance exam, she went to Chongqing to attend Southwest University, located in southwest China, to study applied psychology. She has completed the two year Satir Transformational Therapy program in Beijing.
One of Queena’s classmates was Ms Yang. They became friends because they had a shared a dream to “spread psychology and make the society better”. Ms. Yang’s grandfather was a preacher and he sponsored the building of a church in the city Zunyi (in southwest China). During the Cultural Revolution in China (1967-1977), his church was destroyed and he and his wife were forced to teach in a primary school in a rural village. After the Cultural Revolution, they were compensated by the government. They used bookkeepers to create a foundation in order to give financial support to poor students and build a primary school in Zunyi where the church had been. In memory of her grandfather, Ms. Yang has dedicated her career to helping people live a better life. She and her husband, Mr. Zhou, have co-founded the Shoutai Health Management & Consultation Company. Queena now consults for them.
Shoutai provides help for women who have suffered from perinatal mood disorder. They are committed to the prevention, intervention and support of postpartum depression in China. They have helped more than 10 hospitals build their postpartum rehabilitation centers, and hope to give them continuing support, for different kind of rehabilitation like drugs and alcohol you can visit https://www.eliterehabplacement.com/Hawaii. Their company is growing in response to the extreme need of resources in their country. The Chinese government only began to pay attention to people’s mental health after the big earthquake in 2008.
I am humbled that my books will be helpful in their mission to increase awareness about maternal mental health for women and their families in China. It will be an honor to welcome our new friends from China to the PSI family in Minneapolis this June.
Over forty years have passed since my friends and I initiated a radical societal concept. We wanted to support new families in our community. We were feminists and social activists. That meant we believed men and women shared equally in the conception, birthing and raising of our children. We established a postpartum parent support network that has sustained itself since July 1, 1977.
I’m pleased to announce that my book I’m Listening: A Guide to Supporting Postpartum Families has been updated and is now available on 
