Welcome New Moms!!

Are you the mother of a newborn, dealing with the stress of figuring everything out, while also being sleep deprived? This space is for you.

1. Start with the essential 3 S's of new mom life: check out our stress and support Network keywords, and learn how to simplify your life.

2. Use the newborn keyword to find insights specially created for you. And if you have special circumstances coping with multiples or premature babies, read and contribute there.

3. If you haven't yet taken steps to protect your newborn financially, start reading our money and legal articles.

4. When you're ready to get back to work, find insight on childcare and work.

5. And don't forget to check out our Events, Resources, Podcasts and Discussion Boards to find the great network of women, experts and information at your disposal here at ChoiceMoms.org!

Then go ahead and arrange to get pampered by one of our Choice Mom Becoming advertisers. Just think, now you can finally starting receiving ProFlowers Mother's day presents!

Welcome to the discussion, and the journey!

-- Mikki Morrissette, Founder, author of "Choosing Single Motherhood"

Posted September 21, 2012 at 11:15 AM

Choice Moms Reality Show Casting

filed under: media, thinking, trying, waiting, becoming, being, support, LosAngeles, Texas, NorthCarolina, Boston, Chicago, SanFrancisco, WashingtonDC

Choice Motherhood is becoming a "Plan A" idea for more women across the country. I talked with a producer who is interested in doing what we talk about at our networking events: promoting the pride and amazing strength of the women in the Choice Mom community.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted July 29, 2012 at 7:30 AM

Coping with post-partum emotions

filed under: becoming, newborn, emotions

After a Choice Mom wrote about her surprise to be dealing with post-partum blues, despite all the planning and preparation she'd put into having a child, one of the therapists in the Choice Mom network who responded was New York City's Patricia Mendell. She offered this information for any new mother.

Posted July 27, 2012 at 7:25 AM

Post-partum depression

filed under: becoming, newborn, emotions, being

A new Choice Mom wrote me to say how surprised she was -- after all the planning and preparation she did to finally become a mother -- that she was suffering from post-partum depression.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted April 8, 2012 at 12:00 AM

Meeting our Choice Moms in Chicago

filed under: Chicago, support, multiples, becoming

I've returned from a great spring break trip to Chicago -- where I hosted a Choice Moms networking event -- and Wisconsin Dells with my kids. My notes from the Chicago event will be coming soon. In the meantime, here is one of the women we met, with a powerful spirit....

Posted June 22, 2011 at 9:10 AM

Being Choice Mom to Newborn Twins

filed under: becoming, waiting, multiples, UnitedKingdom

This profile submitted by a woman who started with IUI at age 37, and spent three years trying to conceive -- including five IVF cycles with her own eggs, and three IVF cycles with donor eggs, and a miscarriage. Her twin boys were born in March 2011.

Posted April 28, 2011 at 7:25 AM

Meet Cathi: North Carolina coordinator

filed under: NorthCarolina, waiting, becoming, insemination, profile

Any of you who have been following Choice Mom resources over the years is likely acquainted with Cathi. She found the humor in the stress of trying to self-inseminate, in learning about her own fertility, in being pregnant, in being the mom of a newborn, and now in being simply, joyfully, Mom. Here is her story in a nutshell.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted March 6, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Conscious Conversations #1

filed under: commentary, being, becoming, parenting, ChoiceKids

A friend called out of the blue to ask to catch up after months of absence. We talked about how hard it is for him to find interesting women to talk to about non-superficial things, and how he wondered if he’d ever find a partner.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted February 14, 2011 at 12:25 PM

Happy Valentine's Day gifts to new moms

filed under: , becoming, waiting, newborn, talking

I'm very happy to report that 30 Welcome Kits went out to new Choice Moms last week. This is a special new perk to the Choice Mom community, which includes...

Posted January 10, 2011 at 8:25 AM

Q&A: Helping an attachment baby nap without breast

filed under: becoming, being, newborn, parenting, QandA

A newborn mom thinking ahead to her return to the work world worried about how to help her daughter transition into naps that don't involve breastfeeding her to sleep.

Posted January 5, 2011 at 6:00 AM

Ten reasons to use an au pair

filed under: being, childcare, ChoiceKids, parenting, work, waiting, newborn, becoming, Minnesota, resources

This list was offered by Carrie Crompton at Cultural Care Au Pair, who is offering a great $500 discount to the Choice Mom community.

Read More... | 5 comments

Posted November 22, 2010 at 11:05 AM

Felicia: How I found my tribe

filed under: profile, support, thinking, becoming, being, dating, childcare, work

It is always surprising to me how often I seem to be in a state of revising my plans. I meant to grow up, meet my prince, get married and have kids. I really did. It just didn't work out that way.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted November 18, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Tending to premature babies

filed under: becoming, premature, being, resources, profile

It's a very lonely road to take care of yourself and a premature child (or two). Let's collect our wisdom here about places to turn, stories to share, insight to offer.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted November 15, 2010 at 11:00 AM

Choosing a guardian

filed under: legal, being, waiting, becoming, ChoiceKids, money, Minnesota, resources, support

I've been reminded in the last week just how fragile life is. A Choice Mom friend unexpectedly lost her younger sister last week -- a mother of three -- in a tragic accident. And a neighbor couple are BOTH battling cancer, one of them terminal, with 7- and 9-year old daughters at home.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted November 3, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Parenting multiples

filed under: becoming, waiting, multiples, newborn, Minnesota

I've been hearing from more Choice Moms of twins lately, and it reminds me that we need to offer more on this website for single moms with multiples.

Read More... | 4 comments

Posted October 2, 2010 at 9:05 AM

How to cloth diaper your baby

filed under: becoming, waiting, newborn

Many Choice Moms make a firmer commitment to organic living after they become moms. If you want to start by using cloth diapers, here are tips from an expert.

Posted September 24, 2010 at 2:25 PM

Week 10: Being the Choice Mom to a newborn

filed under: profile, becoming, newborn, work

This priceless -- and honest -- gem from Cathi about new motherhood comes from the archives of the Choice Moms blog, and I wanted to re-offer it to our new moms.

Posted September 23, 2010 at 2:10 PM

Tips for coping with newborn life

filed under: becoming, newborn, waiting

My favorite connection to see at Choice Mom networking events is when our experienced moms can reassure the pregnant and newborn moms that "everything is going to be all right." I started collecting tips on how to deal with the logistics of newborn days after three women in my local area had babies within a week.

Posted September 20, 2010 at 10:25 AM

What I've learned as a new Choice Mom

filed under: becoming, being, newborn, humor

Some time ago on the old Choice Moms blog format, Denise offered these fun and wise thoughts on what she'd learned after 10 months of Choice Motherhood. They were too priceless to disappear, so I've resurrected them here. We invite you to add your own.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted September 18, 2010 at 2:05 PM

Dealing with the exhaustion of newborn days

filed under: becoming, newborn, QandA

A new Choice Mom admitted her exhaustion with the first months of motherhood. Women in the community chimed in with support. Here are two of the responses.

Posted September 17, 2010 at 1:20 PM

Doulas/Midwives recommended by Choice Moms

filed under: resources, waiting, regionalguides, becoming, pregnancy, WashingtonDC, Toronto, Minnesota, Boston

When you are preparing to deliver a child on your own, finding the right pre- and post-partum doula can be vital to a Choice Mom. Listen to this podcast about finding the right one for you. Read more about doulas on this website. And recommend yours here in the comments field.

Posted September 16, 2010 at 10:30 AM

Cathi: Dealing with the "what ifs"

filed under: being, profile, parenting, newborn, becoming, stress, humor

The first few weeks (and months, and maybe years?) of motherhood are a beautiful and emotional time. You bond with Baby, and learn about each other, and stare dreamily into each others' eyes. You are also wracked with hormones, and lack of sleep, and an almost overpowering, choking terror.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted September 14, 2010 at 3:25 PM

Happy Baby checklist: Leading a healthy life

filed under: becoming, newborn, parenting, stress, resources

After I became a mother to Sophia back in 1999, I ended up unexpectedly creating a less stressful and healthier lifestyle. Partly this was because I didn't have time to work 60-hour work weeks -- and didn't want to. But also because I wanted to instill better habits in my child so she would eventually live a healthy lifestyle.

Posted September 10, 2010 at 3:05 PM

Choice Mom E-guide to Relieving Stress, Building Support

filed under: support, stress, miscarriage, newborn, fertility, waiting, becoming, being, emotions, e-guides, feature

The "support" keyword on ChoiceMoms.org is, I think, the most important and valuable information any parent needs. Now we've compiled the website's best information from Choice Moms and experts in this easily downloadable 17-page PDF, "Choice Mom E-guide to Relieving Stress and Building Support."

Posted September 7, 2010 at 12:15 PM

Making Room for Baby: decluttering tips

filed under: NYC, waiting, becoming, newborn, simplify

When I lived in my one bedroom floor-through apartment in New York City with my young daughter, I did start to feel overrun in that first year by the THINGS she needed. I was frugal, but still had the diaper pail, stroller, Baby Bjorn, exersaucer, 3-in-1 travel crib (used everyday), and a growing collection of plastic chewy items. So it was no surprise when the organizing experts at the New York City Choice Mom event drew a crowd.

Posted August 21, 2010 at 8:50 AM

Book excerpt: Newborn Baby Boot Camp

filed under: becoming, newborn, parenting, emotions, humor

One of the things I loved about the new Choice Mom memoir by Stacey MacGlashan, "Just you and me, kid," was the insight she offered to other Choice Moms about the reality of the newborn days. Her kind reminder to women like us that attempting to be superwoman is just plain dumb. And her warning to pre-moms that you need a certain kind of stamina -- that most of us do have -- in order to succeed.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted August 20, 2010 at 6:40 PM

Stacey: Just You and Me, Kid

filed under: resources, thinking, becoming, waiting, insemination, miscarriage, pregnancy, support, inspiration, humor

"Even the most independent or progressive among us didn't play house without at least going through the motions of assigning someone the dad role...Our childhood fairy tale fantasies involved Prince Charming and happily ever after, not donor number 5931...and a brief encounter with a syringe."

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted August 11, 2010 at 2:55 PM

Finding the support we need

filed under: support, thinking, trying, waiting, becoming, being, commentary, talking, WashingtonDC, resources

It's hard for self-sufficient women to ask for help -- or even acknowledge to ourselves that we need it. But we do. Even more than we care to admit, because we tend to be so hard on ourselves. This month I'm thinking about the kinds of support Choice Moms need, and how we can get and give it as a community.

Posted July 12, 2010 at 9:30 AM

Tips for building a support network

filed under: WashingtonDC, thinking, waiting, becoming, UnitedKingdom

At the Choice Moms networking event in D.C., Birthing Hands doula Claudia Booker offered many great tips for women about how to build a support network. She reiterated the importance of preparing for this well before the baby arrives. Some of her suggestions:

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted June 23, 2010 at 6:45 AM

Humor: You know you're a single mom when...

filed under: humor, trying, 2ww, becoming, being, donor

Choice Mom Deb suggested this fun idea, in the vein of Jeff Foxworthy's "You Might Be a Redneck If..." We're now creating our own list for "You Know You Might Be a Choice Mom If..." She got us started.

Read More... | 2 comments

Posted May 25, 2010 at 9:25 AM

20 tips to prepare for new motherhood

filed under: simplify, SanFrancisco, becoming, waiting

It is important for a sleep-deprived mother to know where things are. Because when you and baby are struggling to keep nights and days straight, the last thing you need is to find out at midnight that you are out of baby Tylenol or wipes. And keeping the diaper bag packed with everything you need for three hours of errands is easier when you haven't just spent half hour looking for your keys.

Posted May 18, 2010 at 5:20 PM

5 tips for getting organized to become a mom

filed under: simplify, SanFrancisco, waiting, becoming, money, fertility

At the San Francisco event, organizational specialist Kim Guay of A Clear Vision Organizing offered these tips for getting ready for parenthood.

Posted April 5, 2010 at 12:45 PM

Surviving Newborn Boot Camp as a Single Parent

filed under: podcast, becoming, simplify, fertility

An Australian woman who is going to college in the U.S. while raising a newborn, and a firefighter with two young children, share their tips about how to survive baby boot camp as a single parent.

Posted February 23, 2010 at 3:15 PM

A Choice Mom daycare provider offers tips

filed under: childcare, becoming, parenting

A childcare provider who is on the Choice Mom journey offers these tips in finding the right caregiver:

Posted February 23, 2010 at 3:10 PM

Comparing childcare options

filed under: becoming, childcare, support, QandA

A Choice Mom made a list of the pros and cons of nanny vs. childcare center, as she prepared to go back to work. Here is her list, and the comments elicited from other Choice Moms:

Posted February 20, 2010 at 4:35 PM

Why it's important to report a donor birth

filed under: podcast, waiting, becoming, ChoiceKids, policy, donor, insemination

A majority of families using donor conception do not report births after the fact. This has a tremendous impact on the industry. The numbers of offspring born to a sperm donor, and even to egg donors, are generally vastly under-reported. If there is a genetic abnormality that surfaces in later years, families cannot be notified.

Tracking donor births

Tracking donor births

Posted February 13, 2010 at 8:00 AM

Great listening during your 9-month wait

filed under: waiting, becoming

The Pea in the Podcast is one of the best I've seen for women in the waiting-to-deliver room.

Posted February 11, 2010 at 3:35 PM

Newborn baby boot camp: stress reduction

filed under: podcast, becoming, newborn

When you're suffering from the stresses and strains of newborn baby boot camp, listen to these words of advice from noted pediatrician Dr. Robert Sears.

Baby boot camp

Here's what you need to know about newborn days as a single mom.

Dr. Sears: stress relief

Posted February 3, 2010 at 7:40 PM

What newborns require

filed under: becoming, newborn, waiting, QandA

One typical question asked on the Choice Mom discussion board is, what do I need to have on hand for my newborn? The responses have been numerous over time, so there are two compilations on this website about product recommendations from the Choice Mom community. This page is actual brand suggestions of certain products and tips that were recommended by Choice Moms. Below are the responses many Choice Moms have made about what was essential, and what was not, for their newborn.

Read More... | 7 comments

Posted February 3, 2010 at 7:00 PM

Breastfeeding tips

filed under: becoming, newborn, adoption

Doria is a Choice Mom, midwife and lactation consultant. She offers this Top 10 list for breastfeeding success:

Read More... | 4 comments

Posted February 2, 2010 at 10:10 AM

Baby books

filed under: waiting, becoming, resources, ChoiceKids, pregnancy

It's hard to find baby books that don't have the obligatory "how I met your dad" and two-sided family tree chart to fill in. But there are options. Here are some of them.

Read More... | 1 comment

Posted January 25, 2010 at 8:10 PM

Pump: rent or buy?

filed under: becoming, newborn, QandA

Here's what Choice Moms have to say about breast milk pumps: