Meet Britt | Hyde Park Moms

When you meet Britt, you instantly feel like you are the only person in the room. She’s such a genuine person and that’s what makes her such an awesome Mom and friend. Britt is a Momma to 2 boys – one is brand new (so props to her for humoring me with this interview)! Read below as Britt shares some very real, raw content about what it’s like to be a first time Mom with Postpartum Depression and how she’s helping future Mom’s overcome it by launching support group in our Hyde Park community.
 
What’s your favorite thing about living in Hyde Park?
Hyde Park is the best of both worlds: it’s urban flare has a lot to offer in regards to local restaurants, shops and community events, while it’s access to parks and quality schools makes it a perfect place to raise a family. Additionally, I love how physically active the community is here! On any given day I will see people of all ages jogging, walking and cycling around the area. It gives me energy!
Tell us about your Kiddos!
We have two boys – Gavin will be 5 in March and Oliver (Ollie) is 4-months-old.
Favorite things to do with your kids around town?
I love being outdoors and active with my kids. One of our favorite things to do is walk the trails at Ault Park as a family. We also love the Cincinnati Zoo, the Newport Aquarium and Pogo Play!
Do you have a favorite local store, fitness class or restaurant? What makes this local business so special?
This is tough — there are so many wonderful spots to choose from here! If I had to choose one though – definitely Modo Cincinnati’s hot flow yoga classes. I took my first hot yoga class last year and fell immediately in love with it. At the time I was struggling with secondary infertility issues and it was like therapy to me. I definitely don’t get there as much now as I would like to, but my goal is to make it more of a weekly thing.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I’m currently helping launch a Postpartum Depression Support group through Crossroads Community Church. Our first pilot program will run this spring, and our goal is to offer it every year. I experienced severe postpartum depression and anxiety following a life-threatening delivery with my first child due to HELLP syndrome. I have such a heart for mothers in the postpartum period. Motherhood is an incredibly hard and challenging time, and unfortunately our culture doesn’t do enough to protect new mothers. We place so much emphasis on the pregnancy and childbirth, but virtually nothing on the critical time after birth.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
People in our community step up and support one another. I’ve seen it time and again where new local businesses are supported, and community events and fundraisers are well attended. If you have a passion for something, you can find a network of people who want to support your endeavors.
Tips for Balancing it all? Motherhood, career, family and social life?
I think the tip for balancing it all is to NOT expect yourself to be able to balance it all. Maybe that’s a cop out!? I feel like I could always find more things to get done in a day, however, there isn’t enough time (or coffee!) to accomplish it all. Something has to give at the end of the day, the week, the month, but that’s ok! In my head I keep trying to remind myself that this really is a short season to savor and I will miss the chaos when my kiddos are grown and out of the house. I do think it’s imperative to find a supportive tribe of friends, because they will understand if you don’t respond to a text or are flexible to adjust when plans inevitably have to change because, you know, kids.
What is the best advice you have received as a mom?
I think as moms we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be perfect. Someone once told me, “you don’t have to be a perfect mother, just good enough.” I don’t have to be the perfect mom I had envisioned before having kids. I had unrealistic expectations of myself and the type of mom I would be. Before having kids, I saw myself being able to do it all and with a smile on my face — I felt like perfection was winning at motherhood. And then I got whacked in the face with a life-threatening delivery and the postpartum depression that followed, and there were some days when literally all I could do was feed and change my son. And you know? That was good enough. I’m a better mom because I had that reality check.
What is the best advice you would like to give to a new mom?
Find a way to take time for yourself and nurture YOU. Do something for YOURSELF. Don’t catch up on errands or any tasks. Do something that nourishes your core. I think it’s really easy to lose sight of who we are as individuals versus who we are as mothers. My kids are my world, but I’m constantly evolving as a person and still need to keep tabs on myself. Because when it’s time for my boys to go out on their own, it’s going to be really rough saying those goodbyes, but I will still know who I am.


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