Mom-Me Connections offers support for expecting, new moms

Jill Lokitz and Laura Greene, both Triangle moms with young children, have been intrigued by the new mom stage of life - personally and professionally.

Greene is a licensed psychologist who works with children and adults. Lokitz is a life coach and former school guidance counselor.

Those first few weeks and months of motherhood were very different for them. It was mostly bliss for Greene. It was more difficult for Lokitz, who moved here when her older daughter was about six weeks old.

Now, they'd like to help other expecting and new moms wade through those exciting and exhausting weeks.

Groups, right now, are offered in north Raleigh and Chapel Hill. Lokitz and Greene hope to eventually expand into Cary, Apex, Holly Springs, Durham and other Raleigh locations. Greene and Lokitz plan to keep the groups small - just 10 women per session.

"I loved being pregnant," said Greene, whose kids are now 5 and 3. "I loved being a new mom. I had support."

"It took me a while to feel comfortable as a new mom," said Lokitz, whose girls are ages 4 and 6. "I never really thought about my life once my baby came." 

Lokitz, who lived temporarily in south Raleigh when her family moved to the area, joined a variety of mom groups from across the region to find friends and support. She remembers strapping her newborn into the car and driving to find community in a place where she knew nobody.

The two met last spring and started talking about their mutual interests.

"Once we did meet, the idea just grew," Lokitz said. "It took a few months for it to evolve to what it is."

Mom-Me Connections started in late September. Support groups will cover parenting and baby care topics such as sleep and nutrition, connecting support group members with local experts.

But they also want to provide the new and expecting moms with the tools necessary to ensure they care for themselves when the baby arrives.

"It's about putting the me back in the word mommy," Greene said. "Being the best parent is taking care of your whole self." 

The two also hope support group members form their own bonds and stay together long after the six weeks. Greene and Lovitz envision participants starting up their own groups for moms nights out and playgroups.

The cost to participate in the program is $199 and includes the six sessions, a one-on-one session, the resource guide and talks from local experts.

Greene and Lokitz said they have plans to grow the business, expecting it to evolve based on the moms' needs.

Greene and Lokitz will be sharing parenting tips over the next four weeks starting Wednesday. Stay tuned!