Motherhood is one of the most rewarding experiences a woman can have. It can also feel overwhelming. But you are not alone!
Being a new mom can be a very sweet and rewarding time as you continue to develop a relationship and bond with your little one. But we know it can also feel overwhelming when you don’t have support, parenting information, or just encouragement from another woman who has walked the journey of becoming a mom.
With free Momma Mentoring, Alternatives is here to come alongside you to equip you to be the best mom you can be. Through a caring relationship with your mentor, you will experience pregnancy support, education and helpful advice from another mom who has walked that road before you.
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Personalized Support for Your Unplanned Pregnancy
Becoming a mother will change your life. It comes with so many new experiences and responsibilities that can feel wonderful yet scary at the same time. And an unplanned pregnancy can often heighten these feelings, especially if you don’t have a strong support system around you.
But, we are here to tell you, you CAN do this! You are strong and capable, and you are exactly who your baby needs you to be. But that does not mean you have to do this alone.
What is Momma Mentoring?
Alternatives Momma Mentoring pairs a pregnant mom with another woman who has walked the path of motherhood and can provide help and encouragement.
As a mentee, you will meet with your mentor regularly for the first year of your child’s life. It will be a non-judgmental and confidential space where you can develop skills that will prepare and equip you for motherhood.
When you first meet with your momma mentor, she will get to know you and your situation and get an understanding of the areas where you could use the most support, education and encouragement. From there, you’ll work together to develop a personalized mentoring plan that’s tailored to fit you!
Here are just some of the topics that are available to you:
- How to have a healthy pregnancy and what to expect during each trimester
- Bonding with your preborn baby
- What to expect during labor and delivery
- Leaving the hospital and bringing the baby home
- Maintaining good communication with your baby’s father
- Caring for an infant
- Healthy growth and development
- How to navigate being a working mom
Also available to you is Bright Course, a video-streaming service to support you in topics related to parenting, relationships and life skills.
Fatherhood Mentoring
Fathers play a crucial role during an unplanned pregnancy and throughout the child’s life. That’s why we also provide Fatherhood Mentoring for the father of your child, whether you are in a relationship or deciding to co-parent. Much like a momma-mentor relationship, he can find help and encouragement in becoming a father—but instead, he will meet with a male mentor who has been a father.
How to Get Started
To participate in Momma Mentoring, you will first need to complete an application.
After submitting your application, the Momma Mentoring Coordinator will call you with the next steps. If you have any questions, please contact our Momma Mentoring Coordinator, Sandy at Sandy@YouhaveAlternatives.org.
Frequently Asked Questions
Momma Mentoring is intended for moms and will be available for the first twelve months of age of your child.
Momma Mentorship, like all other Alternatives programs and services, is completely free of charge.
These are not counseling appointments, and Momma Mentors are not licensed, professional counselors. They are simply mothers sharing parenting education, Alternatives’ Momma Resources, and their own experiences as a mom.
You will meet with your Mentor twice a month for a one-hour session during your pregnancy and through the first full year of your child’s life.
Yes! Our hope is that the two of you will cultivate a relationship where you feel comfortable, strengthened and encouraged.
We understand that not every personality aligns well with another. If you find that your Momma Mentor is not a great fit for you, you may request a new Mentor, and our Momma Mentoring Coordinator will review the request and may assign a new Mentor based on the situation.
Sessions will take place at one of our four Alternatives office locations. You can opt for telementoring sessions if you have barriers to accessing one of our office locations.
Momma Mentoring can include growing in your Christian faith as a new mom. We will take your lead in whether or not you choose to include this faith dimension.
The Mentor will assign you homework/lessons that are intended to be an extension of your mentoring sessions.