Caring Words from Aliza Adivi
On February 13, our ‘Amazing Births & Beyond’ playgroup enjoyed a special guest chat with Aliza Adivi, Maternal Mental Health Specialist.
Aliza shared her personal experiences of being a mother to two little ones, and the shifts she went through during this change of role & identity. She expressed that motherhood is not all ‘rainbows & butterflies’ for everyone, and it can be overwhelming . Sometimes we question ourselves as caregivers wondering if we are doing a good job when we feel this way. She then reminded us that we are all our baby needs. The love and attention that we give our baby is the most important thing of all. If they are fed and cared for, then we are doing a good job as caregiver, and everything else will fall into place. Aliza uplifted our participants with her message of self-compassion and understanding.
Our participants went home with the ‘RAIN Technique’ for when feeling overwhelmed:
Recognize what is happening: What is happening in the moment? How and what am I feeling? Where do I feel it in my body? Recognize and name your emotions.
“I am mad at myself and feel like I am failing. I am feeling overwhelmed. I am feeling touched out. I feel like crying.”
Allow life (the experience) to be as it is: Don’t try to run away, fix it, control it, or judge it.
”I am mad and feel like crying. I am uncomfortable, and it is okay to feel this way, even if I don’t like it.”
Investigate with kindness, interest and care: Why do I feel this way? Is it really true? Mindfully observe your thoughts and where you feel your emotions in your body.
”I am cryig because I am overwhelmed. I am crying because I am sad. I am crying because this is hard. And that is okay.”
Nurture non-identification (with self compassion): My thoughts and emotions do not define me. I am not that feeling or emotion. Remember, this feeling is temporary. This time in your life is temporary and this too shall pass.
”I can feel angry, overwhelmed, and/ or sad but this feeling is temporary and I am a great mom.”
We are thrilled to share that Aliza will be partnering with Round Robin Playgroup to host an evening program on Monday March 20th entitled ‘What You Expected when You were Expecting.’ Details and registration informaation will be posted in early March.
Aliza also invites our Round Robin Playgroup Caregivers to contact her directly by emailing mindatpeacepractice@gmail.com.