The Willow Collective

It's time for another Willow Collective Resource Spotlight! Today we're highlighting Grace Upon Grace Project.

Here's a brief quote from their website:

"We are a group of advocates who feel that we all have an innate purpose, mission, goal - whatever you want to call it - to make the world a better place. There is so much beauty and love in the world we live in, but there is also heartache and pain. As we set out on this journey we call life, we truly feel at the end of the day it is not about what we have accomplished or the money we have made. It is about how we have helped. It is about how we have lifted others up. It is about how we have helped others live with grace and dignity."

Interested in learning more? Check out their website at https://www.graceupongraceproject.org/

We're thrilled to introduce Lanie, who recently joined our team of staff therapists! Check out the graphic to learn more about Lanie and her work!

We’re growing our Board of Directors!

Are you passionate about supporting our mission and helping strengthen our impact in the community? We’re currently seeking thoughtful, collaborative, and community-minded individuals interested in serving as board members.

Whether you have previous board experience or are simply passionate about making a difference, we’d love to connect with you. Diverse perspectives and lived experiences are deeply valued and encouraged to apply.

Interested in learning more or applying?
https://tinyurl.com/willowcboard

Hannah Arellano is hosting a viewing of the film, No Country for Mothers on June 18th. This event will be held virtually! For more information, please visit the link below:
https://www.mobilize.us/momsfirst/event/952267/?referring_vol=13422897&rname=Hanna&share_context=event_details&share_medium=copy_link

The blue dot is a symbol for Maternal Mental Health awareness. It represents solidarity and support for mothers navigating challenges like postpartum depression, anxiety, OCD, grief, rage, trauma, infertility, and the (often invisible) emotional load of parenthood.

The blue dot is a reminder that no parent should have to struggle alone.

This Maternal Mental Health Month, we honor the strength it takes to ask for help, speak honestly, and care for ourselves while caring for others!

Myth: “If I hold my baby too much, I’ll spoil them.”
Truth: Responsive care builds secure attachment!

Babies aren’t manipulating, they’re communicating a need.

When you respond consistently, you’re helping your baby learn:
“I’m safe.”
“My needs matter.”
“Someone will come when I need them.”

Over time, that foundation actually leads to more independence!

You're building trust, not forming bad habits. And that matters more than getting it “perfect!"

This doesn't necessarily mean the behavior is okay, and it doesn't mean there aren't boundaries... but it shifts how we respond.

Instead of:
“Why are they doing this?”

We can ask:
“What’s going on underneath this behavior?”

Children don’t have the skills to regulate big feelings quite yet and rely on us to help them learn.

This is hard work! You’re doing it.

You’re not alone if parenting feels harder than you thought it would be.

You can love your child deeply and still:
• Feel overwhelmed by the constant needs
• Count down the minutes until bedtime
• Feel touched out or overstimulated
• Wonder if you’re doing any of it “right”

These moments don’t mean you’re failing, they mean you’re a human caring for another human without enough rest, support, or space.

You don't need to get it right all the time. What's most important is showing up, repairing when needed, and giving yourself compassion along the way.

For more information on our Trauma & Attachment Group or to submit a referral, please visit our website: https://www.willowcollectivefoco.com/trauma-and-attachment-wkshp

We'd love for you to join us!

Parents are doing better than they think when they continue to try!

Research by Ed Tronick shows us that caregivers only need to be attuned to their child’s needs about 30% of the time to support secure attachment. Mismatches in communication between a caregiver and child happen often - and this is actually okay! It’s the repair afterward that builds trust.

So if you’re trying, noticing, coming back, and reconnecting, you're already doing something that really matters.

“Good enough” parenting isn’t about getting it right all the time. It’s about staying in it, even when it’s hard.

If you're interested in learning more about being a "good enough" parent, consider joining our Circle of Security Parenting group!