Sometimes a memory pops up on my Facebook newsfeed from 10 years ago and I try to remember my life back then…
What was I doing? What did I think about? What were my biggest worries? What was I looking forward to?
Where did that shirt go?
I wasn’t really a member of any groups on Facebook, and my posting habits are a bit hazy… but all of that changed when I had my daughter in the Spring of 2013.
As I sat nursing her, by myself in my house, I turned to Facebook to curb my boredom and loneliness.
And as things happened with my newborn and I had questions…
Why does her skin look like that?
What’s wrong with her poop?
What’s the best way to lay her down after she falls asleep so she doesn’t wake up?
…I began to find these groups of moms on Facebook… and my already-mom friends started adding me to more groups. I. Was. Amazed. I mean, here were these communities of women that I HAD NO IDEA EXISTED.
I started joining as many as I could. This led me to find really phenomenal blogs, and other women on various other social media platforms who were interesting, intelligent, kind, and so willing to welcome you into their community.
I found support for breastfeeding, cosleeping, and parenting the way I felt was natural and respectful.
I was able to offer support to other moms struggling and felt good that I could give back.
I was able to find perspective… to understand that it’s ok to make mistakes as a parent. That it’s not easy and as mothers, we very often have so much stacked against us.
I was able to meet moms in other countries, and learn that our current laws and customs here in the United States are NOT supportive of mothers and families… and while this didn’t exactly make me feel too good about our country’s state of things, I was comforted in knowing that I wasn’t the failure for feeling like I couldn’t get my life back together after going back to work 8 weeks postpartum. In reality, I was being failed.
This completely changed my perspective on how I should be treating and considering women who are pregnant and who have children. They are superheroes. If you decide to grow a human: you are a superhero.
There were some groups that made my blood boil, and made me think “what is wrong with the world? Why are these women treating each other like that?” But no sooner did they enter my life had I cast them out. I was drawn more to the positivity and thoughtfulness of so many others.
In my search for a local group I could connect with, I ended up creating my own: 
Looking back on these past years, I can pick out several women I began following, reading their articles, cheering them on, sharing their posts and implementing their practices into my daily life. They don’t know it, but they’ve had a hand in changing my life.
They’ve empowered me to become, and continue to become, the woman, mother, and friend I want to be. They give me the strength and courage to be open about my values and the things I feel strongly about.
Here they are, and I encourage you to learn about their work, too. Especially if you’re a new mom.
1. Ashley Wright ~ Ms. Wright’s Way
2. L.R. Knost ~ www.littleheartsbooks.com
3.Dr. Laura Markham ~ www.ahaparenting.com
4. Bunmi Laditan ~ www.bunmiladitan.com
5. Janet Lansbury ~ www.janetlansbury.com
6. Lelia Schott ~ Synergy Parenting Resources
7. Abby Theuring ~ The Badass Breastfeeder
8. Kristy Kemp ~ Breastfeeding Mama Talk
9. Meghan Leahy ~ Meghan Leahy Parent Coach
10. Megan McGrory Massaro & Miriam J. Katz ~ The Other Baby Book
In no way is this list exhaustive, and I’m sure I’ll continue to add as I keep thinking of my early days as a new mom, the posts I’ve shared, and the things I learned.
And this list doesn’t even begin to touch on the amazing women I’ve met in these groups, in my hometown and all over the world, who don’t have websites or blogs or books. Some of these women are now good friends of mine, and we’ve worked together these past years to create a strong, supportive community. <3
