I'm great at helping others find their own path. Those of you who know me well might laugh at this idea, since I have the absolute worst sense of direction.
I would not get to a single client's house without my trusty GPS.
But, I'm not talking about driving someplace.
I'm talking about finding your way in life, offering directions as a guide is something I love to do. My client's appreciate it as well. If you are looking for a guide to help you navigate the path to becoming a postpartum doula I can guide you too.
I've gotten a lot better at asking questions and listening. I do both all the time as a postpartum doula. I've learned that the knowledge I have is less important than how someone feels when I'm with them.
We all want someone to really listen when we speak.
Consider a new mother who is getting advice from all her friends and family.
Put yourself in her shoes, or more likely yoga pants. She feels like everyone is sharing ideas, but none of them are working. Plus, she never asked for their advice to begin with. Have you ever tried to get someone to do something when they don't want your input? It doesn't work.
Then, I come over to work a postpartum doula shift. I come in to her house, wash my hands, and ask her to tell me how things are going. She shares her overwhelm and worry. I listen. I ask questions so I understand where she is coming from. I ask her how she feels when people give her unsolicited advice. We talk about why they want to share, is it coming from a place of love or judgement?
Then I ask how she wants to handle the situation in question. Is there something she wants to change? How did she feel about the situation before all the advice started to appear?
We discuss that she is the mother, and she gets to decide. What does she want to do? I encourage her and support her to do what feels right for her baby.
She knows her baby better than anyone else, so she is the expert in her baby's care.
I may share some research I've learned, or evidence based practices. I may share the ways some of my other clients have handled this type of situation. My main goal is to help her find her own way. Her own path.
Now, apply this strategy to your new journey as a postpartum doula. Do you want to start from scratch or follow a path? If you want my help to start on your own path I'm more than happy to be your guide.
Learn more about Jill's upcoming Postpartum Doula Training's in Madison, Wisconsin and Utica, Michigan.
Register for a Postpartum Doula Training.
Find out more about CAPPA's pathway to become a postpartum doula.
I would not get to a single client's house without my trusty GPS.
But, I'm not talking about driving someplace.
I'm talking about finding your way in life, offering directions as a guide is something I love to do. My client's appreciate it as well. If you are looking for a guide to help you navigate the path to becoming a postpartum doula I can guide you too.
I've gotten a lot better at asking questions and listening. I do both all the time as a postpartum doula. I've learned that the knowledge I have is less important than how someone feels when I'm with them.
We all want someone to really listen when we speak.
Consider a new mother who is getting advice from all her friends and family.
Put yourself in her shoes, or more likely yoga pants. She feels like everyone is sharing ideas, but none of them are working. Plus, she never asked for their advice to begin with. Have you ever tried to get someone to do something when they don't want your input? It doesn't work.
Then, I come over to work a postpartum doula shift. I come in to her house, wash my hands, and ask her to tell me how things are going. She shares her overwhelm and worry. I listen. I ask questions so I understand where she is coming from. I ask her how she feels when people give her unsolicited advice. We talk about why they want to share, is it coming from a place of love or judgement?
Then I ask how she wants to handle the situation in question. Is there something she wants to change? How did she feel about the situation before all the advice started to appear?
We discuss that she is the mother, and she gets to decide. What does she want to do? I encourage her and support her to do what feels right for her baby.
She knows her baby better than anyone else, so she is the expert in her baby's care.
I may share some research I've learned, or evidence based practices. I may share the ways some of my other clients have handled this type of situation. My main goal is to help her find her own way. Her own path.
Now, apply this strategy to your new journey as a postpartum doula. Do you want to start from scratch or follow a path? If you want my help to start on your own path I'm more than happy to be your guide.
Learn more about Jill's upcoming Postpartum Doula Training's in Madison, Wisconsin and Utica, Michigan.
Register for a Postpartum Doula Training.
Find out more about CAPPA's pathway to become a postpartum doula.
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