GRASP group

This group was incredibly helpful as a new mom. I was not sure exactly what to expect in a new mom’s group, but this was very well-​organized, provided practical guidance and tips on all aspects of becoming a new parent, and was also a great way to meet fellow new moms. I was very impressed with the professionalism and expertise of the two facilitators, and I would definitely recommend this group. I joined a couple other groups in Chicago, but this was definitely the most helpful and most rewarding!

As not only a new mom, but someone new to Chicago, The GRASP Group was exactly what I was looking for and more. Having moved from LA a month before our baby was due, I knew I wanted to join a mom’s group to meet other moms in the area. My LA Friends had recommended I join a group facilitated by Child Development Specialists, so when GRASP was recommended to me by my lactation consultant, I was excited to check it out.
Alison and Sara have been amazingly supportive. The weekly agenda/​topics for the 6 week program were very timely, and sparked lively discussion from the group. I loved how we covered not only our newborn’s development but we also discussed our own well-​being as new mothers.
On top of having Alison and Sara’s support, the women in my GRASP group have been wonderful. I’ve been impressed at how we ended up with a group made up of strong, compassionate and friendly mom’s. On top of that, I’ve been impressed at how many professional/​working mothers are in our group. Everyone has their own unique personalities to bring, while being sensitive to other’s unique life perspectives. Definitely no judgement, which was something that was critical to me in a mom’s group.
Lastly, I was not expecting how much my newborn son would get out of the group! He’s a feisty one, but when he’s in group with all the other babies, he’s happy, playful and talkative (baby talk!). Having other babies for him to interact with even at 3 weeks was amazing!
Our group is already arranging future get-​togethers and I feel very fortunate to have stumbled on this group and set of mothers!

GRASP Group is a supportive and nurturing resource for new moms looking not only to gain insights into their child’s development but also to help with mom’s emotional needs. I found both Alison and Sara to provide timely guidance and feedback. And the group is very intimate (5 – 6 women) which makes for an open and honest dialogue about the elation, challenges and new variables that come into play with parenting. I would highly recommend this support system to any new mother!

Today was My last session of GRASP Group for New Mom’s and Infants and I’m so sad it is over! I signed up for the group based on a recommendation from my lactation consultant. I’m really happy I joined and will be recommending it to others.
The group met every Thursday for six weeks in a private room at Little Beans Café. It was was a small and intimate group (7 moms + babies) led by Sara a Child Development Specialist and Allison a licensed Clinical Therapist. Each week focused on a different topic: mother’s personal/​mental health, baby development, baby feeding and sleep issues, healthy relationships with your significant other, transitioning into the motherhood role and returning to work/​navigating childcare. Sara and Alison did a wonderful job creating a «safe» environment that allowed all the new mothers to share openly without fear of critique or judgement.
Personally, I felt the best parts of joining this group were:
— A way, place and reason to get out of the house with a newborn. Most new moms will understand how limited your day becomes as compared to your old lifestyle, not to mention there are not too many places to go that are newborn friendly. Here, no one cared if your baby cried the entire session, we were all in the same boat. Alison and Sara always had a helping hand to snuggle babies and give the mom’s a brief break. Feeding, breast or bottle, during the sessions was also encouraged.
— A WONDERFUL way to meet other new moms going through the same transition into motherhood. It is so important to find a social circle with the same schedule (aka infant schedule) and lifestyle. We met weekly for lunch or a play date outside of group and I hope we continue to meet now that it is over.
— Finally, a great way to realize that you are not alone in your struggles (and successes) during the first weeks of your little one’s life. Everyone in the group had issues they were dealing with (nursing, sleeping, childcare, general anxiety) so it was a great environment to vent, ask questions and receive emotional support and encouragement.
Thanks Sara and Alison for helping me survive the «fourth trimester!» I hope to sign up for the toddler session in the future.

I participated in the fall 2013 new mom’s group. It was a fabulous experience for me and my newborn son.
I enjoyed the structure of the group– Alison & Sara prepared a meaningful syllabus that addressed important topics for Mom & Baby. The topics also sparked great conversation amongst the Moms. I really liked that the group addressed Mom’s health & relationships in addition to topics for the baby. I also learned a great deal about baby’s development and how to play and engage with a newborn.
I recommend this group to new Moms who are looking for education, support and networking.

I participated in one of GRASP’s new mom groups — it was a great way to connect with other new moms; especially for someone like me who doesn’t have a lot of friends in Chicago with kids.
The curriculum was great — each week focused on a different topic. Things like development of the baby, your relationship with your spouse/​partner, your postpartum recovery. The conversation was very organized, with Sara and Alison coming prepared with tons of good info, but at the same time encouraging lots of questions and conversations amongst the moms.
Everyone brings their babies and its very comfortable and welcoming.
I highly recommend this new moms group!

GRASP group is one of the best things I did for myself and my baby. I recommend all my new mom friends to join the 6 week GRASP Group. I feel extremely lucky to have had this experience and six months later, I still use the learning points from GRASP every day. I had my daughter in November and the weather was so terrible, I was cooped up in the house and longing for adult interactions, and GRASP Group provided that for me and so much more. I met wonderful friends and Alison & Sara were such great listeners and helped us understand our new journeys with real life experiences to back them up. They are both mothers themselves and were so warm and inviting. Motherhood is beautiful and wonderful, yes, but it gets very hard sometimes, GRASP gives you the opportunity to be in a safe space to talk and learn from other new moms that are in the exact same «boat» as you.

Navigating the complexities of being a new mom will the hardest job you will ever conquer. (Yet it will be the most worthwhile!)
I am in my late 30’s and thought that motherhood would be a breeze — since most of my close friends have taken the plunge before me and I knew what to expect. Going from a senior manager and working 60 hours a week did not prepare me for the road ahead as a new parent. I had a fairly uncomplicated pregnancy that ended with a challenging delivery. With a difficult c-​section recovery in our son’s first weeks and the stresses put on a new mom from her family — I doubted myself and my ability to be a great mother to our child.
I was introduced to GRASP Group by my lactation consultant and I am so glad that I joined the group. We have met weekly for 6 weeks, in a small group of four women at the same stage of new motherhood. The women I met in the group are amazing, and the conversations that we have had with Alison and Sara have addressed the fears and questions that we all have had in the first 12 weeks of motherhood — otherwise known as the «Fourth Trimester».
Postpartum depression manifests itself in many different ways, and even the strongest women need the sisterhood and support that only another new mom can comprehend. If you just had a baby, or if you are about to have a baby — join GRASP Group, and I guarantee that you will emerge from the group with the confidence needed and have the strong foundation necessary to serve your child well in his/​her first months and beyond!

I participated in the new mom’s group and highly reccomend. It’s a great way to get out of the house, meet other new mom’s and learn about yourself and your baby. Sara and Allison are amazing women!

I HIGHLY recommend the New Mom Support Group to all the new moms out there! I was looking for a group where I could meet other first-​time moms and learn more about my new baby. This honestly has been the best six weeks! I looked forward to the group every week. Sara and Alison make time for each group member. We covered a range of topics and were encouraged to bring up any other topic that we were interested in. It is worth every penny! I look forward to joining the Toddler Group as well.

I emailed Alison to schedule an individual counseling meeting and she left a message to call her back between a certain window. When I called her back within her requested time frame, she never picked up. I left a message asking her to call me back and she never did.
Maybe she is just too busy because it seems like the GRASP group is doing a pretty good job of marketing and getting their name out there. But if she doesn’t have time to call back potential clients, real moms who are looking for support, maybe the group should hire a receptionist or personal assistant who can help them with scheduling and possibly grow their business or bring on another counselor.
I think this group has found a niche market and if they can’t handle the demand, they should expand or refer to others. Not returning phone calls is a bit unprofessional, not to mention discouraging.

I joined a GRASP group based on a recommendation from my lactation consultant. It’s been a wonderful experience! Each week we meet, we learn about our babies from the knowledgable and welcoming leaders, Sara and Allison. We get to know other moms, enjoy time with our babies, and offer one another support. Being a new mom can be very overwhelming and getting together with other women who are having a similar experience has been invaluable to me. The place we meet, Little Beans Café, is a comfortable, inviting space. It’s great for lunch and coffee, and there is plenty of parking close by.
I highly recommend GRASP group as a way to get your baby questions answered, make new friends, and feel more comfortable in your abilities as a new mom!

I am so happy I joined the New Moms Group with Grasp. There were so many groups to choose from after I had my baby and I was not sure which one to join. I opted for Grasp because the group was facilitated by a Marriage & Family Therapist and a Child Development Specialist, whereas other groups are not facilitated by professionals. I first spoke with Sara over the phone and she was so welcoming and helpful that I knew I would enjoy Grasp.
The 6 weeks in group cover a variety of topics from child developmental milestones to self care for mama post-​partum. There is plenty of time during the sessions to ask questions. Allison and Sara alternate facilitating the group, so that one week is more focused on baby, while the next week is focused more on moms.
The best part, for me, has been just getting used to going out with baby and meeting other moms and babies who are similar in age. The group meets at Little Beans Café, which is a super cute playroom for kids and there is a great café to have lunch at after group.
I highly recommend joining Grasp for new moms. It has definitely helped me transition smoother into this new adventure of parenthood.