Wrapping up 2018 - Updates, End of Year Giving & Looking forward...

Thank you all for supporting Recess Collective, being a part of our community, and sharing our new space with us.  

What a whirlwind of a year! In 2018:

• We closed Recess in Potrero Hill, after 10 and a half years of operation

• We established Recess Collective, a non-profit entity to continue offering play and parent support to local families

• We built out and opened a new space to house Recess Collective, at 2226 Taraval. It has all the same elements as “the old” Recess, but is in a more sustainable space that incorporates the values of a collective. Working together - our staff, our volunteers and our partners - are able to leverage connections to serve the community in a broader way.

• Our founder, Lisa’s family, welcomed a new baby boy!

Looking Forward! 2019’s goals:

• Provide space to play for our new community and continue to build the awesome web of families we get to work with.

• We will seek volunteers to assist with fundraising, grant writing and special events so that we can extend the offerings of Recess to any family who would like to utilize them.

• Expand the Collective. It’s incredible to think about the amount of talent right here in San Francisco and the surrounding bay area. We are fortunate to have such a wealth of resources for folks from all walks of life. The primary intention of Recess Collective is to harness that talent to serve all people. So in the new year, we will continue to work toward that mission. This includes:

  • Organizing special events & programing for families of for children with disabilities, and their siblings

  • Training in conjunction with Our Family Coalition for LGBTQ families

  • Continue partnering with Nurse-Family Partnership and build our scholarship fund to include at risk mothers & families who could not otherwise access a safe space for play,

  • Functioning as a space to bring together generations. By working with SF Village, we will develop programming for intergenerational play with local seniors.

  • Working with other organizations to deliver creative solutions for families to make life with young children more collaborative. There are real life solutions to easing the load we each carry and Recess is designed to create the back drop for those to come to life. Look forward to childcare co-ops, toy swaps, craft nights and recipe swaps. It’s exciting stuff!

  If you would like to support this mission and have the means to contribute toward it’s fulfillment, we’d love to invite you to get involved. There are options for end of year giving that include $5 / month contribution, or a one time donation of any amount.

Every dollar raised will ultimately go toward growing this incredible community hub, creating space for healthy child development, welcoming in families from all walks of life, and making the journey for parents and caregivers a joyful one.

$5 a month goes a long way to helping us build up our programming to reach more families.
$10 a month will allow us to provide a parent with weekly playgroup and play access.
$20 a month could be your way of giving a group of at risk mothers monthly playdates to connect with one another and have a safe space for play.
$50 +/mo gives us an opportunity to gift families full memberships and birthday parties.

Anyone who makes a donation of $25/mo or more will receive recognition on our founders wall with a 3x3 tile and an invitation to our Spring Festival! All donations are tax deductible.

Donate to Recess Collective
via our fiscal sponsor Birth2Work

• Make this a monthly donation

• Donate with PayPal

• or

• Donate with a Debit or Credit Card

• You can change or cancel a recurring donation anytime in your PayPal account settings.

The amount you enter will be paid to this organization each month from your PayPal account. Don’t have PayPal? Sign up easily while entering your payment information.

Preparing for the transition to Postpartum

Preparing & Taking Care

With all of the excitement built up around welcoming a new baby into the world, it can be surprising to know that the most common complications of childbirth are perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, including postpartum depression.

Whether you are going through stress, adjustment to parenting, baby blues, or experiencing postpartum depression/anxiety, below are some helpful tools and resources.

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There are several types of mental illness related to childbirth, with different symptoms and risks.

It can be confusing because "postpartum depression" is often used as an umbrella term to cover many different conditions that can occur during pregnancy or postpartum. It is possible for women to have symptoms such as panic and anxiety, obsessive intrusive thoughts, anger, and mania, without primary depression.

If a mom has a major Postpartum Depression with no psychotic features, she does not have delusional thinking, although she might have distorted negative views of herself or her life due to her depression. Rather than being at risk of hurting others, a severely depressed or anxious mom without proper support and information can be at risk of suicide because she does not realize that she will recover. She is likely to fear that she is not a good mother, and myths and mistaken descriptions of postpartum depression add to her fear and resulting risk. There is a difference between psychosis, where there is a real break from reality, and depression or anxiety, in which the woman is in distress but in touch with reality. An informed medical professional can and should assess whether a woman is depressed, anxious, or psychotic.

Additionally, the terms “baby blues” and “postpartum depression” are not interchangeable. Baby blues is not a perinatal mood or anxiety disorder. It is a normal hormonal adjustment period after birth that usually resolves naturally within 3 weeks postpartum.

-http://www.postpartum.net/about-psi/overview/

If you are a mom who needs help, here are some key emergency resources:

National Crisis Text Hotline:

• Text HOME to 741741 from anywhere in the USA, anytime, about any type of crisis.

National Suicide Prevention Hotline and Website

• 1-800-273-8255

• www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org Call for yourself or someone you care about; free and confidential; network of more than 140 crisis centers nationwide; available 24/7

Call PSI’s free Helpline, available in English and Spanish. 1.800.944.4773. They also have coordinators for Dads, Military Families, Spanish-speaking families, and Arabic-speaking Families 

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Resource Library

• UCSF Pregnancy and Postpartum Mood Assessment Clinic: Providing comprehensive counseling and information for pregnant women
  and new mothers.
  http://obgyn.ucsf.edu/patientcare/preg_post-part_clin.aspx

• Postpartum Progress, a widely read blog addressing issues surrounding motherhood and perinatal mood concerns www.postpartumprogress.com

• This Emotional Life, special section on postpartum health www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/topic/postpartum

• Postpartum Support International www.postpartum.net

• Mindful Motherhood, Dr. Cassandra Vieten www.mindfulmotherhood.com

• Mindful Childbirth and Parenting, Nancy Bardacke www.mindfulbirthing.org

• California Maternal Mental Health Collaborative: http://www.camaternalmentalhealth.org

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Related Readings

A Mother is Born, Gina Hassan, PhD http://birthways.org/tag/postpartum-the-fourth-trimester

Postpartum Recession, Jessica Zucker, PhD
http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/postpartum-recession

Importance of self-care & self-care techniques. Incorporating Mindfulness Into Motherhood
Cassandra Vieten, PhD
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/mindful-motherhood/201005/incorporating-mindfulness-motherhood

The "Good Enough Mother". Self-Care, relaxation skills and stress management

The New Nest: From Partners to Parents. Communication with Partners/Family members: Creative ways to find time for couple/partner connection

Emotional Aspects of Parenting, Showing CARE, Juli Fraga, PsyD & Melissa Whippo, LCSW

Breastfeeding Concerns & Returning to Work. "A Second Chance at Breastfeeding" by Kim Simon: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kim-simon/a-second-chance-at-breastfeeding_b_3041794.html

"Six Tips for Dealing with Your Partner Returning to Work After Baby" by the Stir: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/the-stir/6-tips-for-dealing-with_b_2972742.html

Additional Articles about the Motherhood Journey:

• A Darker Shade of Blue: http://www.pregnancymagazine.com/mom/identifying-the-baby-blues

• New Research on Postpartum Depression Could Change the way we Think About the Baby Blues: http://qz.com/612694/new-research-on-postpartum-depression-could-change-the-way-we-talk-about-the-baby-blues/

• Motherhood Mindset: Three Ways to Practice Mindfulness with Your Baby http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-juli-fraga/motherhood-mindset-three-ways-to-practice-mindfulness-with-your-baby_b_5816650.html

• How to Emotionally Prepare for Motherhood http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-juli-fraga/how-to-emotionally-prepare-for-motherhood_b_5726998.html

• Nursing Your Baby: Sometimes It Takes a Village - by Dr. Juli Fraga
  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dr-juli-fraga/nursing-your-baby-sometimes-it-takes-a-village_b_4878565.html

• The Biggest Mistake We Mothers Will Make
  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/aidan-donnelley-rowley/the-biggest-mistake-we-mo_b_5295627.html?utm_hp_ref=forgiveness

• A Mother is Born: http://www.ginahassan.com/Mother-is-born.html

• Lessons from my daughter: http://www.theconversation.tv/parenting/lessons-from-my-daughter-1/

• From Partners to Parents: http://www.theconversation.tv/parenting/first-time-parents-care/

• Celebrating Mama: Five Tips for Postpartum Self-Care: http://blog.honest.com/celebrating-mama-five-tips-for-postpartum-care/#.UZGDdEJy_ww

• 10 Ways to Feel Good About Yourself in the First Year as a Parent: http://www.babble.com/pregnancy/10-ways-to-feel-good-about-yourself-in-the-first-year-as-a-parent/

• The Rocky Path to Grace: http://www.adesignsovast.com/2010/04/the-rocky-path-to-grace/

Books:

Becoming the Parent You Want To Be, Laura Davis & Janis Keyser

Beyond the Blues: Understanding and Treating Prenatal and Postpartum Depression & Anxiety, Shoshana Bennet, PhD & Pec Indman, EdD, MFT

The Birth of a Mother: How the Motherhood Experience Changes You Forever, Daniel Stern, MD

Mindful Birthing, Nancy Bardacke, CNM

Mothering Without a Map, Kathryn Black

Parenting From the Inside Out, Daniel Siegel, MD & Mary Hartzell, MEd

iPhone/Smartphone Application:

Mindful Pregnancy App developed by Nancy Bardacke, CNM from the UCSF Osher Center.

Sneak Peek of the New Space

We’re thrilled to have our doors open and to have so many awesome families as members of our community. The majority of our programming like story time, live music and family yoga will begin in the new year. We also have new parent groups starting on 1/28, in partnership with Parentline.

For now, book your playspace pass, birthday party or join as a member while end of year discounts are still available. If you haven’t been in yet, please swing by!

Check out some great photos of our brand new space. We’re still observing how children utilize the play area and making modifications to meet the needs of kids and parents alike. So you’ll continue to see it evolve!

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And if you are able to give at this time of year, please consider donating your time and money. Financial contributions are tax deductible!

Our Mission is to harness the power of community to promote healthy development through perinatal education, childhood play & community connection.

Recess Collective is an inclusive community centered space committed to supporting families from the time of pregnancy through the first four years by providing opportunities for perinatal education, play, creativity, support & connection.

By building a small, connected village, we can lighten the load.  We aim to educate families on birthing options and postpartum support so that they can step confidently into parenthood. Then, we strive to address the intangible stumbling blocks of raising kids in an urban environment.  Authentic community support, reliable in-a-pinch caregiving options, access to vetted resources and a safe, clean space for play are all crucial to supporting parents. In this way, we provide a structure and support system for parenthood that starts at the beginning when parents need it most.  

Ultimately our vision is that every community has a Recess Collective space to come together to share resources and live playful, healthy lives.

DECEMBER: Come Play!

Thank you all so much for your patience while we've been busy completely demo'ing our new location, designing the space to meet the needs of your family & putting the finishing touches on it to create a comfortable little oasis for you, your caregivers & your children.  

Now that we are open for business, we are thrilled to give you the scoop on next steps and invite you in to play!

• SOFT OPEN HOURS: NOW through 12/21.  

  • Members & those of you who have purchased playspace packs are invited to drop in & join us to play.  Playspace hours are M, T, Th, F 9:30-5:30 & Weekends 9:30-12:30. Stay tuned in the new year for additional early AM and late PM member only hours as we survey you all for preferred days/times.  

  • Not a member yet? Book a playspace pass to check out the space and join before 12/22 to get early bird deals on membership.

  • Interested in coming by for a tour, or to check out the space before booking a party? Feel free to come by during business hours and we can show you around!

• HOLIDAY BREAK:  12/22-1/2. We will close up for the holidays so our staff can be with their families and then we’ll re-open for all on 1/4 for members, playspace pass holders and limited afternoon drop in visits. 

Note that: 

• parties are available to be booked for the new year as well if you're interested in reserving a slot for a celebration! For a limited time, they are only $350.

• We have some really great workshops on the schedule for December and Beyond (including cpr, intro to sign language, infant sleep, responsive caregiving, introducing a sibling, potty training & more). 

• If you have friends / neighbors interested in checking out the space, please spread the word.

Please don't hesitate to reach out with any questions! We CAN'T wait to see you all.  Best wishes for a warm and cozy December.

Lisa