The Community Services Directorate has launched a new program aimed at increasing the understanding of mindfulness in new mothers and mothers-to-be as a tool to build confidence and skills to cope with stress.
The new COVID-safe program, Mindful Mothers, is to be run face-to face over eight weeks at the Directorate’s Gungahlin Child and Family Centre.
According to the Our CBR website, benefits of the program include emotional balance and learning how to respond appropriately to children’s emotions.
“Based on the international program and bestselling book Mindful Motherhood by Cassandra Vieten, this program focuses on mindful parenting and enhancing the connection between the adult and the child through the adult focusing on being calm, present and attuned to their baby,” Our CBR said.
“Yoga is a key part of each session, taught by Michelle Langshaw – a 16-year veteran of the mums and bubs yoga scene,” it said.
“Michelle focuses on mindful movement with the mothers, helping them to be present, and to explore their bodies leading up to and soon after birth, and connect with them again.”
Our CBR said the program was run by facilitators from Gungahlin Child and Family Centre, Sally Duncan and Jane De Salis.
Yoga instructor at Nurturing Within Yoga, Michelle Langshaw said the program didn’t teach specific parenting strategies but had an overarching theme of being mindful and present.
The Directorate said families with young children (birth to eight years) were welcome to call the Child and Family Centres to talk with an experienced Child and Family Worker about the supports available for their family, including a range of parenting groups.
Further information on the Mindful Mothers program can be accessed by calling the Gungahlin Child and Family Centre on 6207 0120 and information on the Directorate’s Child and Family Centre’s at this PS News link.
