WORCESTER—Motherhood can be amazing. It can also be challenging, stressful, and lonely. Between the thousands of happy family photos on social media and the quick polite chatter at activities and birthday parties, the struggles of motherhood are often overlooked and even dismissed.
It’s all the more reason Tina Gauthier decided to launch the Supportive Mom Initiative.
“Ever since I had my first, I needed to do something to support moms because I didn’t have the village I thought I might have,” said Gauthier, a mother of two who lives in Grafton, but hosts events all around central Massachusetts. The Supportive Mom Initiative’s March event is at Thyme Herbal Apothecary on Shrewsbury Street, where the shop will be running a mocktail-making class on Sunday, March 10, from 3-5 p.m.
“People are struggling with motherhood and downplaying the struggles,” said Gauthier. Boston-based NAPS, a parenting resources and support group, offers training and guidance for those who wish to launch their own support networks. Gauthier became certified in running groups and launched the Supportive Mom Initiative just a year ago. Mothers are split up according to life stage or affinity. So, there are expecting moms, first-time mothers, second-timers, working mothers, and stay-at-home moms.
“It’s a way to be heard, validated, and seen,” said Gauthier.
Each group, which is no larger than eight people, consists of a six-week course that meets weekly for 75 minutes for specific topics of discussion, typically facilitated by Gauthier. Sleep, health and wellness, communication, identity shifts, and going back to work are some of the topics Gauthier has tackled. The $199 course fee also includes the monthly meetups. Moms who aren’t yet members are welcome to attend the monthly events for a fee and Gauthier says some have used this as an opportunity to test out whether they’d be comfortable gathering with other women to talk about motherhood.
Annie Hardy said she was “on the hunt to find people to connect with about motherhood.” Her baby was born in November 2023 and she was nervous about bringing an infant out into public, but ended up going to the post-partum group. “I was very, very glad I did,” she said. Hardy moved from New Haven, CT to Worcester in the Summer of 2022 and wanted more connections.
“It’s been amazing,” added Hardy. “It’s a great way to normalize motherhood. Being able to talk about your experiences and realize you’re not the only one who is experiencing this.” Hardy says the groups offer both practical and emotional support. Her group has delved into topics of sleep as well as relationships and recently the women in Hardy’s group each shared their birth stories. “It’s so special to be able to talk about that.”
Ashlee Procacini wasn’t sure she wanted to talk to a bunch of strangers about motherhood. It made her a bit nervous. But after seeing mentions of the Supportive Mom Initiative on Instagram she decided to take the leap. About a year ago, when her son was six months old, Procacini, who is an elementary school teacher in Shrewsbury, joined one of the new mother’s groups. “I’m a very social person,” she said. “I was craving that.”
It turned out to be just what she needed. She was able to have validating conversations and meet other mothers. “Sharing stories was one of the best parts.” An even better part, says Procacini, was something she wasn’t necessarily expecting going in. “I now have a really, really close friend from that group.”
Gauthier posts regularly on Instagram @supported_mom_initiative for interested mothers.
Bridget Samburg is a freelance editor, reporter and ghostwriter. She has written for Boston Magazine, The Boston Globe and Yankee Magazine, among other outlets. She can be reached at bsamburg@comcast.net
