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Hannah Fitch | Mother and Baby Circle Holder & Matrescence Coach

@connecting_mums_community

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✨ Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training & Mentorship
✨ Join the mailing list just here for more ⬇️
✨ Connecting Mums circles - @connecting_mums

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🎉It's finally here!🎉

This Connecting Mums Community is the launch of the new Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training & Mentorship programme - where I get to share with you the skills and experience I've built up from years of fully booked mother and baby circles in South London 🎉

💥My mission - to make attending a mother and baby circle as commonplace as attending an antenatal course 💥 ....... But I can't do that alone! So join me on this mission - mums want this space (my circles have been fully booked for years!) and a change is coming - more and more mums are recognising that real connections and feeling seen and heard is what actually makes a difference to their wellbeing (not just a new candle and bubble bath!).

This programme is born from -

❤️ Witnessing again and again the incredibly impact these spaces have on mothers navigating their matrescence,
❤️ A deep belief that what mothers need is not more advice, but space to hear others share their real experiences
❤️ A mission to spread an understanding of matrescence amongst new mums (no mum should feel she's broken or just not cut out for the job like I did!)
❤️ More and more of you wonderful women reaching out seeking support with your own space creation, wanting this community ❤️

If you've ever wanted to hold space for mothers in the early days of their journey, giving them space to share openly and safely their challenges, anxieties and how quite frankly this life transition changes every part of our being - I would LOVE you to stick around!

🎉What to do next?! 🎉

💫Please JOIN THE MAILING LIST linked in the bio to hear updates as the facilitator training and mentorship takes place with opening offers!

💫 Send me a message or leave a comment with what's brought you here and the spaces you want to hold for mothers and babies 😍

💫Don't forget to click FOLLOW for more on the importance of these spaces and what running them really involves!

You don't need to be a 'perfect' mum for this (newsflash: they don't exist!) you just need to care - I will share all the practical knowledge you need to start holding meaningful circles, with on-going support so you're never doing it alone ❤️ xx by @connecting_mums_community

I had 8 enquiries today about spaces - I think the most I've ever had in one day 🎉

It got me thinking about how much I charge, and the idea of charging mums for support

I wish I didn't have to charge mums anything - I wish funding was given so each and every mum can access a support circle like Connecting Mums (I wish this was true SO much!)

But until that funding exists, we need to keep thinking about pricing!

I don't believe there's one right price or strategy here. It's nuanced, based on your personal financial position, your financial commitments, your partner's income etc.

But I do think as women we often find it hard to charge for our skills, time, and energy. I know I find it hard. But I also know when I was running Connecting Mums in the early days for little money, my energy was running out. For me, charging money isn't about making millions, it's about sustaining my energy enough to keep doing this work for many more years!

I have actually found that mums prefer to meet other mums in a properly facilitated group, in a block of sessions for familiarity and to foster deeper connections - and for this, they are happy (or at least prepared) to pay!

When I tried drop in sessions - a cheaper, more flexible alternative for mums, l found (in general, as everything in life has it's exceptions!) that mums would actually rather pay for a block, to know they'll see the group again.

As female business owners, especially as mothers, we owe it to each other to normalise charging for our support. If we don't, this perpetuates the expectation that our work supporting mothers should be done for free, leading to burn out and mums not getting the support they need at all!

I am, of course, conscious of mums who don't have the financial ability to pay, and I often signpost mums to local charities that offer similar services 🙏🏼

I'll cover all of this (and more!) in my Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training Programme 🙏🏼❤️ - how I've decided on my price, my experience of offering a pay what you can model, offering discounted spaces etc....

Mailing list link to hear more is in the bio 🙏🏼 and I'd love to know your thoughts on this (D by @connecting_mums_community

My Connecting Mums groups for Sept & October are ALL fully booked with wait lists (and have been for over 2 years!) 🎉

I can't meet this demand alone! I'd love to support you in adding holding mother and baby circles into your week - to build a sustainable business whilst knowing you're making a real difference to the lives of postpartum mothers in your local community ❤️

Awareness of Matrescence and the transformational impact it has upon a woman as she becomes a mother is building 👏🏼

It's a HUGE honour to have studied under the guidance of @amytaylorkabbaz and @mamarisingmovement , and their new film along with @clairetonti and @matrescencedoco is spreading knowledge of Matrescence worldwide 😍

I get a constant trickle of enquiries each week with Connecting Mums from mums deeply wanting and recognising the need for this space to connect - I truly believe demand will build to equal that for antenatal courses (and beyond!) ❤️

So come and join me in this growing community of mums wanting to give the space they so deeply needed to more mums to come 🙏🏻 - Join the MAILING LIST linked in the bio or drop me a DM to chat 😍

Hannah - Matrescence Coach and Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator 💫

#matrescence #postpartumjourney #connectwithcommunity #connectingmums by @connecting_mums_community

Connecting Mums is different ❤️

Of course I care about your little one, but what I really care most about is YOU!

It's a space designed all around supporting you with...

💫 Connecting with mums in your local community
💫 Sharing your story in a safe and facilitated group
💫Learning about Matrescence and how societal expectations of what a 'good' mother is impacts our experience
💫 Hear others talk openly and safely about their experience in motherhood (sharing experiences is the only real way to reduce isolation and often shame around the harder parts of mothering)
💫Sharing local recommendations
💫Finding your village (we were NEVER meant to do this whilst so alone)

Sessions are 2 hours long. This matters, as I believe we need the time to slow down and not rush (and it's really hard sometimes to be on time when on a baby's schedule!).

This also means if your little one is napping at home, has a poo explosion, or needs a movement nap, you can step out of part of the session but won't miss the whole thing ❤️

I also think we need 2 hours to give everyone the time each week to speak and share. I don't think mums need any more advice to be honest, we're SATURATED with it. We need to hear others share and open up.

Everyone gets a name label, and everyone gets introductions in the WhatsApp group (with prior consent of course) - this really is about building your community and making you feel welcome 🙏🏻

I want to do what I can to make you feel as comfortable and welcome.

What has made you feel comfortable at Connecting Mums or other groups?! I'd love to know in the comments ❤️❤️

Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

When I first started Connecting Mums I knew I (and therefore other mums!) wanted a space for intentional conversations about how they're experiencing motherhood.

I knew I was wearing a mask pretending to mums I met at cafes and baby classes that I was a bit tired but managing, whereas inside I felt completely disorientated and thought I was the only one.

So I knew I wanted to create a space where mums could talk about their experiences in a safe and compassionate space.

But it has evolved over the years as my understanding of the structures we mother within and my own psychology has deepened.

It's now a space for bringing mums together but it's really much much more than that! It's a space to share experiences, hear others speak vulnerably and also reflect upon the world and structures we're mothering within.

We reflect upon the good mother myth, mental load, maternal wall amongst other aspects to understand Matrescence and see this experience with way more self compassion than many of us (myself included) enter motherhood with ❤️

I believe anyone can gather women and give them space to share, but over the years now of holding this space I've learnt what has worked well and what hasn't, what brings mums back for more sessions and how to grow in confidence to hold this space.

The Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training & Mentorship Programme is under development (slowed slightly by the school summer holidays!!) but it's on its way and I can't wait to bring more of you along on this journey with me!

Just DM with any queries and to show interest - and please do join the mailing list (linked in the bio) to hear of updates!

Love Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

These beautiful and powerful words were sent to me from a wonderful mum when we were talking about how helpful she'd found Connecting Mums sessions 🙏🏻❤️

With social media creating SO many pressures upon us and expectations, and WhatsApp meaning we can keep in touch so easily but conversations are so broken, I can't help but feel we need face to face connection more than ever.

It's by sitting together with other mothers in a similar stage to us that we can read each other's body language, have the safety to let out feelings you might have been holding in, and say "I know, I've felt that too" - a few words that might mean the world to an exhausted and overwhelmed mum ❤️

I really do believe this space to openly talk about our experiences in motherhood and the changes we're facing as we navigate Matrescence can completely change a woman's experience in the early months and years 🙏🏻

From unsure, lonely, anxious and lost, this space can help mums feel seen and reassured. Many aspects of early motherhood are hard, but it's all made easier by connecting with others and feeling part of something ❤️

If you're a mum in the early months in SE London do come along, you'll be welcomed with open arms 🫂 Please drop me a DM with how old your little one is and I can send you details!

🎉 If you're interested in holding this beautiful space for mums, then I can promise you that you won't regret it!! Drop me a DM and I can send you the mailing list link! 🎉

Oodles of love, Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

Mums often come to Connecting Mums to meet other mums local to them with similar aged babies - and so many friendships have formed over the years ❤️

But many find it gives them a space they didn't even know they needed - and this is what often keeps mums coming back for another block 🙏🏻 (which I adore as I love building relationships over time, and seeing the mums evolve as they have more time for reflecting upon their experience).

For many mums, it's the first time they've ever heard others speaking really openly and honestly about their feelings and how complex motherhood is.

It's the first time they've been able to open up and show their emotions without others flinching with discomfort.

It's the first time they've felt permission to say, "this is hard", and "I miss my old life a bit".

It's a beautiful space, and one I believe all mothers should attend as default in the early months of motherhood 🙏🏻.

Seeing the same mums each week in a block really supports the connections and new relationships, the safety amongst the mums and familiarity.

I just don't think you get the same depth of conversations at a drop in type event - I fear many mums can still leave feeling lonely and unseen. This is where the guidelines in a circle space help each mum relax into the space and feel part of the group ❤️

If you're interested in learning more about how I hold this space, and how YOU can too - please do join the MAILING LIST in the bio and I'll send an update shortly on the Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training & Mentoring Programme I'll be launching later this year 😍🎉

Love to you all ❤️ Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

Have you ever been to catch up with some mates, and come home not really sure how anyone truly is as the chat darted around from one topic to the next, people talking over each other and no one hardly ever finishing a sentence?!

Add kids, especially toddlers with curious questions into the mix and it can be really, really hard to feel that connection we all truly crave.

This is where Connecting Mums sessions, based around a circle structure, give mums that connection - each mum turns up each week knowing what to expect, no-one is left disappointed and left out, everyone gets heard, and conversions are intentional. It's simple, but magic ✨

Each circle holder will have their own guidelines, and I'll go through the ones I use and don't use in Connecting Mums in my upcoming Mother and Baby Circle Facilitator Training 💖 - but a key aspect of Connecting Mums is each mum taking their turn to share each week (timings I'll cover too in the Training, as this is a harder aspect to manage!), whilst other mums in the group listen.

In other settings, we often don't listen properly to others as we're thinking about what to respond, how to make it better for that mum, maybe something funny to say if we feel uncomfortable.

But in a circle, there's no pressure to respond. In fact, unless a mum asks for advice or if anyone's had a similar experience, I encourage you not to respond. Just an empathetic knowing look, or an "I've felt the same" is often all that mum needs to feel seen and heard. To help her move through her feelings.

It really does feel different to a casual catch up. Everyone gets heard, everyone is equal, and no one needs to worry who they're sitting next to. The group listens as a group, not breaking off into smaller chats.

It's magic, and I want to spread the magic! I'm looking for other mums to join me in holding this space for others - I'd love you to drop me a message if you think you might be interested 😍

Please do join the MAILING LIST (linked in the bio) to hear when the Facilitator Training & Mentoring Programme is ready to go and to grab the opening offers 🙏🏻👏🏼🎉

All my love, Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

Feeling pretty vulnerable putting this one out there as for a while I felt a bit of a fraudster in the circle space!

I didn't think (and sometimes still don't) that I fit the typical "circle holder" mould.

The assumptions some have about circle holders and circles can wrongly make mums feel it might not be the space for them, or that they're an imposter for holding this space for others.

✨ I don't use tarot or oracle cards (no shade if you do of course....some like peanut butter, some don't, we're all different aren't we!)...I do love some positive affirmations though!

✨I don't wear floral floaty dresses (think I've got a few in my wardrobe but I'm far more comfortable in denim shorts or jeans and a t-shirt .... Never too old for a crop top too 😬)

✨ I don't read about angels

✨ I don't wear or know anything about crystals

✨ I won't call myself a healer -again, no shade if you do, but I am not a healer. I don't believe you really need healing, I just think you need a space to be heard and to connect deeply with others.

Now don't get me wrong - some women want the oracle cards and crystals, and there are some beautiful space holders out there to give them that space 🙏🏻.

But there are other mums like me, who crave the connection, open conversations and space for reflection, but don't align with the more spiritual sides of circles - this is where Connecting Mums bridges that gap.

I hold a grounding space, rooted in connection, reflection, safety and deep listening, but in my own way playing Taylor Swift as I set up!

So what am I like as a circle holder 🤔

🪩 I drink sh*t loads of coffee (sorry herbal tea lovers, just ain't my jam unless it's bedtime!)

🪩 I get on down to cr*p pop tunes - more mellow in my circles though!

🪩I crave connection. I can feel lonely pretty quickly even with people around me. I need to sit with other mums, hear their sh*t and feel their solidarity.

I'd love you to join me in this movement - spaces for all. There's no one just like you - own it, we're all wonderful in our own ways, and we need different circle holders 🙏🏻 mailing list link in bio!🎉 by @connecting_mums_community

Hallelujah 🪩🪩🎉🎉

My plan ...... Honestly not got a bloody clue 😬

Stare into space and appreciate the silence 🤫

....and crack on with Connecting Mums stuff 🎉 had so many thoughts in my head around the new Facilitator Training & Mentoring programme I'm launching but not much time to do it (as all us mums feel!) ....

2 hours, let's go! 🤣

If you've been feeling the pull to create a space where mums can come and open up about how they're doing in the vulnerable postpartum period, please, please join the mailing list in the bio or comment MAILING LIST and I'll send you the link 💖

Exciting times! 😍 Xx by @connecting_mums_community

If you have any inkling that mums need a space to connect, share safely and openly their feelings and worries and reflect upon their Matrescence - then I'm SO glad you're here!

Holding fully booked circles in London for coming up to 3 years has made it clear to me that mums really do need and want this space. The space to move beyond small talk and properly connect over deeper and more meaningful conversations on their experience.

I'm Hannah, a Mother and Circle Holder and Mama Rising Matrescence coach with the incredible @amytaylorkabbaz
and @mamarisingmovement. Deep diving into Matrescence studies has reinforced to me how mothers experiences are complex, and mums need to be held through their journey - I'd love you to join me on this mission!

I'm a mum of 2 (4 and 6), past the hellish sleep deprivation but mothering is just as emotionally intense. I can't promise catchy hooks and glossy posts as I juggle this work alongside a separate 3 days a week employed job, running Connecting Mums circles, and mothering - but if I can do this, so can you!

You really don't need to have any specific qualifications for this work. I can support you with everything I've learnt over the past years, you just need a passion for holding space for mothers 🙏🏻✨

I'm so glad you're here! I'd love to hear from you so drop me a comment or message with what has brought you here, and remember to join the mailing list linked in the bio to make sure you're one of the first to hear the opening offers 🎉🪩

All my love, Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community

As my little boy got flooded with emotions (aka screaming and crying 🙃 poor thing!), it felt hard, really damn hard.

Hard to stay calm, hard to not feel alone (as others quietly walked past us).

But I had a really beautiful thought that got me through. I thought of all the vulnerable and hard moments mums have shared in Connecting Mums sessions, and I felt a collective strength. Although in that moment I felt alone, I knew I wasn't. I knew that many other mothers have been there.

Screaming child, people looking, raised voices - moments that I often feel very shameful of. But honestly my shoulders dropped, and instead of feeling like I was getting this all wrong, I realised that these moments are just parts of parenting - I certainly wasn't alone.

It's incredible the vulnerability mums show in a mother's circle. The masks come off, knowing that others are there for the same reason - for open and honest sharing about the lived reality of motherhood - the good, the bag and the ugly.

We all have feelings as mothers which are really hard to sit with - anger, disappointment, sadness, and for many it's moments which are really hard to open up about - birth trauma or disappointment, feeding challenges or grief, relationship changes - but finding a space to be open, and to hear others share openly, is life changing. And I don't say that lightly - hearing others in Connecting Mums speak their vulnerable feelings and moments has helped me immeasurably to process my own experiences and remember I'm never really alone.

It's like when people say imagine when you're feeding a baby at night all the other mothers awake around the world, I think of all the hard times mums have shared with me when I'm struggling too. It helps, it really does.

If you're a mum in South East London, check out @connecting_mums for a safe space to talk openly with other mums, and if you're on the fence about creating this space for mums, it's honestly one of the most rewarding things I've done ✨ - join the mailing list linked in the bio to hear when the Facilitator Training & Mentorship Programme is open 👏🏼

Hannah xx by @connecting_mums_community