Finally, some community help for new mothers

I am always excited when I hear or read about first time moms getting help from their community. Becoming a mom for the first time is very overwhelming because babies do not come with instruction manuals and there is SO much to learn. If a woman doesn't have a maternal mentor, such as her mother or mom-in-law (or a doula) she can become overly stressed out trying to figure out how to meet her new baby's needs without appropriate guidance and training. That is one of the biggest disappointments a woman might face after giving birth, finding that she is without appropriate guidance. Many women are shocked to find that their own mothers do not provide them either guidance or support.

It is unconscionable in most other cultures to leave a woman on her own to figure out how to care for this brand new human being she has brought into the world (and sometimes two or three if she has multiples!). Sadly, since the industrial revolution our society as a whole has lost touch with its extended family members, preferring to do everything on our own and "pull ourselves up by our bootstraps" instead of asking for the help we need. Many women are afraid to ask for help because they don't want to be seen as weak or incapable of performing the job they have been told they are "designed for," i.e. that "biology is destiny."

However, Jewish activists have recognized this deficit and are stepping up to the plate and focusing on helping new parents after the birth of their first babies. Maybe this will begin a process of opening people's eyes across all religions and communities in this country to what I consider to be the "plight" of many first time moms in this country: isolation during a time (especially the first three months) when they need help, information, and guidance the most--after the birth of their first babies.