As a case manager here at Casa Teresa, I find working with our residents a truly rewarding experience. Our moms come from all walks of life and their experiences can be very different yet juxtaposed. Part of the Casa Teresa experience for a mom is exploring self, who she is, what she wants out of life, what she needs out of life, and what she needs from others. Writing can often times be a way to put one’s thought processes down on paper and create a self-awareness that might otherwise not have existed. I ask the moms to write on paper what motherhood means to them when they first arrive. I want them to create a focus on the baby and what pregnancy actually means to them. It’s a great way to foster growth in their role as a parent and help them identify as a mother. In addition, I ask that they write a letter to their unborn child, which will possibly go on to be the first page of their baby scrap book. Below is an essay on motherhood and letter written by a couple of our Casa Teresa moms: What Motherhood Means to Me By Maria "To me, motherhood is one of the scariest hood’s one can experience, not only because of how difficult it can be, but it is the greatest responsibility one can take on. Everything I do will have an effect on my child, either in a positive or negative way. It is frightening to know there is no right or wrong way to parent your child. I can take parenting classes, use my past experiences, and get feedback from other parents, but ultimately, I am responsible for making the best decisions for my child. Motherhood is the start of a new chapter in a woman’s life. It is time to put someone else before yourself. As exhausting as it may be, you never stop being a mother. It is a 24/7, 365 days a year assignment, and it certainly gives you a new sense of purpose in this world. There is a whole new sense of meaning to life. You learn patience and unconditional love for your child and are ready to sacrifice your life for theirs. As a mother you encounter a love and compassion that you have never experienced before, on a different level. Motherhood is what you make of it, but it is no doubt an amazing gift from God. It is an accumulation of so many things, a combination of raw emotion, personal experiences, and all our hopes and dreams for our children." A letter to Jazmyne’s unborn child:
“Dear Baby, You have meant everything to me since the day I was told you were growing inside me. Without ever taking your first breath, you have changed my entire life in several amazing ways. Before I knew you were coming I cared very little about myself, and at the same time, only about myself. Knowing you were coming shone a spotlight onto my life. You deserved my best and I became determined to provide nothing less. I knew that what I had to give at the time was not enough, and my way of living was not conducive for child rearing. I wanted you with all my heart and I made the decision to keep you and love you forever, no matter how challenging. You are my everything, my world, and I cannot wait to meet you. Nothing will ever matter to me as much as you do. No matter what life brings our way, you and I will always have one another. Love you always and forever, Your Mom”
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