15 Years Later, Mom Returns to EvergreenHealth's Parent-Baby Classes

When Shannon became a mother for the first time in 2006, she says she found it difficult to find her balance at first.
She had given birth to her daughter Gigi at EvergreenHealth and had learned about our Parent-Baby Groups, which are available to all new parents.
Are the Parent-Baby Groups, Shannon says she found what she needed from the community of new parents and our expert instructors who lead the groups.
"It was at this baby class that I found comfort, encouragement and loving guidance from [EvergreenHealth's] experienced instructors. Not only did they have years of teaching experience, but they had also raised their own children," Shannon said. "These skillful instructors presented evidenced-based information, relieved my anxiety, and offered the opportunity to connect with other moms."
Completing the class in 2007, Shannon said she not only gained important skills and confidence in becoming a mom but also strong connections that lasted through the years.
Then 15 years after giving birth to Gigi, Shannon became a new mom again! In 2021, her family welcomed Scarlett into the world.
Three months after Scarlett was born, Shannon and her husband relocated to England for his work in the military. Shannon says that the prospect of experiencing the new country was exhilarating, but she also felt stressed over not having family or friends nearby, the difficulties in setting up a new home, navigating military life and having to learn what parenting support her new home offered.
Plus, after more than a decade since giving birth to her first child, Shannon says she had to get up to speed on the new parenting knowledge that was out there and the new technologies that had been released.
Shannon (right) poses with her two daughters Gigi (center) and Scarlett (left).
Then, one day while speaking to a friend who was also a part of her original 2007 baby class and works at EvergreenHealth, she learned that the Parent-Baby Groups had gone virtual over the course of the pandemic.
"I was thrilled! Without hesitation, I enthusiastically signed up…again. The online classes have made it possible for me to attend Parent Baby Groups for the second time," Shannon said. "With the dynamics and new challenges I now face, I am relieved to once again find the familiarity of the same passionate instructors, as well as a new community of supportive mothers to walk beside me on this journey of motherhood."
Despite being an ocean and a continent away, Shannon says she has been able to enjoy the "same passionate instructors and her community of supportive moms."
"For that, I am truly grateful. It has been an invaluable asset to me and my family," she said.
EvergreenHealth has offered Parent-Baby Groups since 1991, creating a community that fosters lifelong friendships as well as educational sessions covering things like feeding, relationships, postpartum changes and everything else you need to know as a parent.
Classes are weekly and available for parents and children up to 15 months old.
Learn More
Learn how to sign up for virtual Parent Baby Groups today.
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