From overwhelmed to empowered: 'Good Mom' workshop helps local moms tackle anxiety

BLASDELL, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Being a mom can be overwhelming and for many, the pressure to be a “perfect parent” brings on anxiety and stress. One local workshop is helping moms let go of those fears and build confidence.

“I think that knowing that it takes a village to raise children and to be a parent, so making sure that you're utilizing your supports,” said Brittany Rathman, a licensed mental health counselor. “I think it’s important to have a care team, and whether that is friends, family, other parents, but in addition, professionals. Whether that is mental healthcare, chiropractic care, OBGYN, pelvic floor therapy — there are a whole array of services that are out there to support parents.”

The "Good Mom" Workshop is filled with shared stories and supportive voices and is hosted by Revival Chiropractic + Wellness and Harvest Mental Health Counseling. It's all about helping moms quiet the doubts keeping them up at night.

“If you're finding yourself nervous, anxious, on edge, unable to focus or concentrate, you're finding your eating or sleeping patterns are off, you're withdrawing from other people — those are typically some signs that you're struggling,” Rathman said.

From mindfulness skills to the evaluation of selfcare practices, the focus is on mental wellness and physical health and reminding moms that perfection isn’t always the goal, being present is.

“A good mom is someone who listens to her intuition or gut, I think is important. I think, especially in the day of social media, there is so many outside factors coming into that — 'Am I good or not good enough?' — and so I think just believing in yourself and making decisions based on your lifestyle and your family’s lifestyle and needs is what makes you a good mom,” said Megan Meyer, a doctor of chiropractic.

The free workshop will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, April 14, at 3720 South Park Ave. in Blasdell. To register, call or text (716) 220-8716. There will be another workshop on May 8.