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Category Archives: Blog

GET TOs in the Midst of the HAVE TOs

Author: Jennifer Burch, LPC   The True Strength of Mothers As a mental health professional, I have seen the strength of mothers and the countless happy moments they experience, even during tough times. From sleepless nights and endless responsibilities to balancing work and family, the never-ending tasks can take a toll. It’s okay to feel […]

wrong father

My Baby Has the “Wrong” Father

Author: Birthright St. Charles Counselor   We’ve Heard This Before Our counselors have heard it many times before: “I want to have kids, but not with him. I can’t believe I let him get me pregnant. I don’t want to be tied to him my whole life.” Unintended pregnancies happen in a multitude of contexts. Sometimes, […]

life challenges

Moving Forward: Coping with Life Challenges

By: Jami McDermott, Outreach Coordinator Feeling drained, exhausted, and utterly spent? Do you wake up in the morning with a heavy heart, dreading the day ahead, feeling like you just can’t muster the energy to face it? You’re not alone. Many of us grapple with overwhelming life events—whether unexpected challenges like unplanned pregnancies, health issues, […]

Help! My Attention Span is Missing!

By: Jami McDermott Ever pick up your phone to check the time and end up watching cat videos for an hour? Or meant to send a quick email but somehow ended up shopping for a hoodie you absolutely do not need?  Yep, distractions may be stealing your life. According to Reviews.org, it has become a daily […]

Luck of the Shamrock: The real secret to winning!

By: Jami McDermott The four-leaf clover is considered lucky because it’s so rare. I’ve found a few in my lifetime, always hoping they’d bring me a little extra fortune. But here’s how luck has played out for me: Someone asks, “Want to buy a raffle ticket?” Nope—I already know I won’t win (but I’ll still […]

LOVE: More than Just a Valentine

By: Sheri Petruso We struggled with the heartache of not having that special someone to celebrate and romanticize with, so we filled the gap with Galentine’s Day. This was meant to make everything better by ditching the idea and focus of the significant other and instead highlighting “girl power” and “sisterhood”.  However, since COVID, we […]

Small Steps Big Changes: Food, Mood, and Moving Forward

By: Jami McDermott The holiday season, while traditionally associated with joy and celebration, can present unique challenges to our well-being. Here’s how to maintain balance during this time of year: Healthy Holiday Eating: Simple Ways to Nourish Your Body Mindful Food Choices: Instead of restrictive diets, focus on balanced options. Choose whole foods with simple […]

Birthright Offers Text Messaging

Birthright Now Offers Text Messaging

If you think you’re pregnant, talking to someone over the phone can be difficult. You may not know what to say or how you feel. That’s why Birthright of St. Charles now offers text messaging. Text Your Requests, Questions, & Concerns to a Friendly Ear It’s becoming less common to pick up a phone and […]

From TikTok to Tranquility: My Quest for a Calmer Morning

Can you believe it? The air is cooling off, school’s back in session, and we’re racing toward another wild election season. And don’t even get me started on the holidays—time to prepare for those awkward family dinners and the 57th debate over who brings the stuffing. Meanwhile, I wake up earlier each morning with anxious […]

Breastfeeding in Public

I remember with clarity the first time I attempted to breastfeed my newborn son in a public setting (in actuality, though amidst a group of people, we were still in the privacy and comfort of a good friend’s home.) I was doing my best to make breastfeeding work since I had learned during pregnancy all […]