PRACTITIONER'S CORNER

Why Holistic Moms?

by Jenny Wood

            Since the birth of my first son five years ago, I have sought the support of moms who share a similar approach to child-raising and family life. I am passionate about local and organic food, natural health, holistic education, living more lightly on the planet, and doing my best to balance home and work life. I have met a lot of nice people, but I didn’t find a moms’ group that encompassed these concerns, and I generally felt pretty isolated.

            With the birth of my second son last May, I began identifying myself much more as a mom than as an acupuncturist, a role I had strongly identified with for 11 years. I worked alone in my office for more than a decade, hoping to better one person’s life at a time, because I felt overwhelmed by the problems of the wider world.  As I became a mother of two, however, I suddenly felt compelled to move into a more public activist role, for the sake of future generations.

            Thus I found myself slipping out of the house one Sunday last July, alone for the first time since my baby’s birth six weeks prior. Two friends of mine were giving a church service on “Raising Healthy Families,” and I knew I had to attend.

            I cannot recall the details of the service, but I remember that I felt lifted up, inspired, and supported as a mom trying to raise my family in a healthy, balanced way. The presenters handed out a detailed resource list, and a group called Holistic Moms Network jumped out at me. Perhaps this is what I’ve been looking for, I thought.

            That day I visited the Holistic Moms Network website, and I instantly resonated with the organization. They are a national nonprofit, and their main goals are to help parents find information on natural living and wellness, and to develop a nurturing, unified community of parents who support each other and share their knowledge and experience about raising children. There is a strong educational aspect to the organization, and they encourage parents to become informed about various issues and to make the right decisions for their families, whatever those choices may be. They encourage diversity, open-mindedness, professionalism and respect.

            Within a week I had applied to start a chapter on Cape Cod. Not really knowing what I was doing, but feeling compelled to do so, I put one foot in front of the other as I joined the organization, completed the lengthy leader’s application, and jumped through all the hoops necessary to become a leader. Now, five months later, a wonderful group of mothers and one grandmother has collaborated to launch our chapter with a free open house at the beautiful new Chatham Community Center this Saturday, March 8 at 10 a.m.

            One of the great aspects of Holistic Moms Network is that children are welcome at the meetings, including the open house. Both Chatham Natural Market and Naked Earth in Brewster have donated food. Complimentary 10-minute relaxation treatments will be offered, including Reiki with practitioner Lynne Delaney and massage with therapist Janette Reber. Membership information will be available, as will a resource table with information about holistic health and local businesses and practitioners who support Holistic Moms. The group has a strict non-solicitation policy, but attendees are welcome to share information about topics of interest.  Future meetings will feature topics such as feeding the family, the non-toxic home and children and medication.

            Holistic Moms Network is not just for moms, and it’s too bad that the name implies that it is. Dads, partners, friends, grandparents, and others who support parents in making conscious choices are all welcome.

            I have been amazed and deeply gratified by all of the support I have received in starting this chapter, and I am excited to get to know others who want to build this vibrant community. Come check us out on Saturday.

            For more information, contact me at jenny@capecodacupuncture.com or my co-leader Lauren Elliott-Grunes at 973-919-1646.

3/6/08