21
May
2008
My life is falling into place…in more ways than one.
It seems things are coming together for me: my practice, making friends, and now the latest is a better, more reliable car. Last summer, when my mom's broken leg had healed and she began using her car again it became clear I needed one of my own but I didn't yet have an income. So I borrowed from my mom's savings in order to purchase the first decent running rig I could find at an inexpensive price - that would fit my large pup and Sidra and her friends etc…I found and got a great deal on a 1992 Previa van.
And it uses a lot of fuel! A week ago I started seriously thinking about getting a scooter. My former brother in law was great in helping me think through this, and ultimately asked if I couldn't get a small car loan - he thought I should sell the Previa before something expensive happens to it and get something smaller and more economical.
Well, I guess I had it in my mind that I would always be stuck with a piece of junk car. Who would buy a 1992 Previa getting 15 mpg in the city??? Selling that thing would be the hardest part, and something I wanted to avoid. I have never liked selling cars. I don't like buying them either. I always feel like I'm going to get scammed - I'm pretty trusting and naive sometimes!
At my part-time job Monday morning, my boss asked, "What would it take for you to come in to work a split shift tonight?" Jokingly, I said, "Well, you could buy my van…" And you know what? He didn't laugh! He and his wife LOVE the older cars and have been looking for a PREVIA.
The dealership located a few miles away has just the car I want (better than the one I thought I'd get) for Kelly Blue Book price, and now I'm just waiting to hear if I can get financing for it.
So, I'm tight with cash right now…things are not happening as fast as I wanted them to in the attracting clients department, but bit by bit I'm making connections and getting my name known in ever-widening circles. But the way things are going I think my place in this town is forming. I think I won't have a problem.
Last year, I fell into THIS place - Wenatchee. A year later I'm following suit, feeling like its finally MY place.
I love it when things fall into place, don't you?
Posted: what's happening in my life
18
May
2008
Yes, indeed.
Recently, research has shown that mothers who are exposed to high levels of stress during pregnancy have babies that are more likely to have asthma and/or allergies. It was on the news just now, and you can read about it here.
The prenatal and perinatal psychology field has known about this for some time. In treating adults with allergies and asthma, as well as children and infants, when prenatal issues (emotional stress of mom, passed to baby) are addressed, the allergies dissipate. Often completely.
So while delighted that mainstream news and research is supporting the importance of the prenatal time period, what they didn't say was that it's treatable.
If you have allergies, or if your child does, consider doing some work with a trained pre and perinatal counselor to address the issues that arose during pregnancy. You might find that your allergies are relieved.
Posted: Pre- and Perinatal Psychology, parenting issues
18
May
2008
So I've been in Wentachee now for a year, but only really began marketing myself as a counselor and birth doula a few months ago.
I am feeling impatient being the new kid on the block…I know most of what I do will be successful due to word of mouth. And patience is necessary when making connections, going out into the community with what I have to offer, meeting new people and basically enjoying myself thoroughly with all the new folks I get to talk to and spend time with.
As far as I can tell, there are no other doulas in Wenatchee. There's one in Moses Lake, and one in Ellensburg…but for here, it's me. And I look forward to attending births again, really, I do…it's been a long time. But it's not my total intention. I really want a space to practice in, to help parents learn to connect and bond with their babies before birth, as well as after, and to remove the blocks that inhibit that bonding.
I think many people aren't aware that it's possible to look to their own history, their own beginnings prenatally and during birth to find patterns and beliefs that have shaped their lives. I don't think as a culture we are aware that babies are having their own individual experience of their prenatal live, of their birth, that can be separate from the Mother's experience. Or that unborn babies are recording everything that happens, some of which will shape how they feel about themselves, and their world and how they relate to others.
I feel so passionately about helping parents understand that what they do and say matters on so many levels…and that we can determine the level of stress a baby is in, and often remedy the cause. That crying, sleep difficulties, eating/nursing problems, are only some of the things that are thought of as Normal or "High Maintenance" or having a "spirited child"….when sometimes it might be adaptation to a stressful experience.
But I am not sure how to deliver this knowledge without scaring people away. I am not certain this community is interested in much beyond being "normal."
This is frustrating to me, but I live here, and here I stay - somewhat reluctantly - and so while I wait to be able to practice my passion, I continue to meet others, make friends here when I can, and having a heck of a time.
Posted: Pre- and Perinatal Psychology, parenting issues, what's happening in my life
1
May
2008
This evening I'm scheduled to hold a mini-lecture at the Belly to Baby store, in downtown Wenatchee. I've invited health and wellness practitioners to attend, as well as expecting or current parents.
My intention is to introduce myself and what I do to this community. I hope to articulate the main and basic principles of prenatal and perinatal psychology, but not get too detailed in that…Keep It Simple, Sweetie.
And the places I get stuck when I talk to people are citing studies and accurately describing them off the top of my head. If I am challenged in what I speak of, will I fumble and appear unprofessional and incompetent or gracefully field the comments and questions of skeptics?
How many times can I refer to something I read, or was taught before I start looking like I don't have any first hand experience of my own? I do, but not always stories that are useful in illustrating a concept at hand.
ACK. I always feel like I need more training, and more experience…but if I keep getting more training I'll never get out there in the community to get the experience.
So, off I go this evening, and I hope people show up! Next week I start a class for individuals and couples expecting a baby…
If you are interested, please let me know!
Posted: Pre- and Perinatal Psychology, amazing newborns, infant communication, parenting issues, what's happening in my life