The Open Door Pregnancy Resource Center

Join a Moms Group  As a parent, there is the pressure of wanting to get everything right. And at times we can even feel like we are the only one going through this. But we are not! No doubt being a parent can be very stressful, intimidating, and isolating. Finding a support system can make everything seem less overwhelming. Now, call it what you will, girl talk, mothers group, or mom club, there are benefits to joining a support network that you can relate to. Joining a mothers group is not just about having coffee and snacks, you can physically and mentally recharge by sharing your stories, advice, concerns, or troubles. How a Mothers Group Can Help Joining a mom’s group gives you the opportunity to get out and about and ready to engage in conversation with other women in a relaxed atmosphere. Here are a few reasons you should consider joining a group. Make New Friends We could all benefit from meeting new people. The best part about a mom’s group is you meet like-minded...

The Importance of Self-Care Call it what you will, "me-time” or “self-care,” it’s safe to say that we could all benefit from it. The time you take for your self is essential to your health, and most of us don’t do it enough. It’s easy to get sidetracked, there is always something else that needs to get done, or we fulfill someone else needs. But when we think of ‘me-time,’ we associate it with spending money in some form. A trip to the salon, spa day, nail salon, or lunch with girlfriends. I’ll be the first o admit that I love getting a manicure, but there are times when I don’t have the funds to get one. So, sometimes, that means no me-time. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to spend money to recharge. As a mom, I feel that taking time to relax and recharge makes me a more present (pleasant) parent. Below are a few ways for you to have your me-time, some that are free and cost some money. Finding "Me-Time" We all need a break from our daily demands....

You Are Not the Only One We can all admit that being a parent is hard work! It’s not only physically exhausting but emotionally and spiritually. You might have heard from other parents about how difficult it will be or the complete opposite, they tell you that it’s super easy. But no matter any parents opinion about raising a child, it will have its challenges. This doesn’t mean we don’t appreciate being a parent, nor does it mean that we don’t love our children. It is just a hard fact that most of us don’t admit to others. When we see each other in passing, say at our child's pre-school, we might greet each other by asking, “How are you?” and more than likely we answer, “I’m doing good.” But the real truth is that we woke up late this morning, quickly dressed our child in clothes that may have been worn the other day, and fed the kiddos powdered doughnuts and chocolate milk. I’ll say it again, it is hard being a parent! We want the best for them, we want them to be great a...

Fight for Your Marriage Every marriage has its challenges. Every. Marriage. You can look from the outside and see the perfect couple with the ideal marriage and family life. And with social media everywhere, it can give you a false perspective on a person’s relationship. It is very rare for someone to post pictures of the aftermath of an argument or the hurt on their face. But it is important to remember we all have troubles and that our marriages or relationships are worth fighting for. It takes time, a commitment, honesty, communication, and energy to keep your relationship thriving. It might also be wise to seek help early on by talking with a professional. But in the meantime, you could find other resources to get you started. Here is a list of marriage counseling books by How to Save a Marriage you can both use to help you get started on the road of repairing your marriage or relationship (the first one is a personal favorite). The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love ...

                                                             people.com Rachel Campos-Duffy: Giving a Shout Out to At-Home Motherhood Rachel Campos-Duffy is a woman known too many as one of the cast members of MTV’s The Real World: San Fransisco, but she is so much more than that. Campos-Duffy is a television personality, pundit, blogger, speaker, and author. The Arizona native was raised in a strict Catholic home along with her three siblings. She attended Arizona State University with a degree in economics and planned to attend graduate school with the hopes of becoming a college professor. She instead got her master's degree in international affairs from the University of California at San Diego. After her time on the hit reality show, The Real World: San Fransisco, she would then get a call from Barbra Walters and ‘The Vi...

Volunteering We all live busy lives and it can be hard to find the time to volunteer. Still, the benefits can be fulfilling to you, your family, and your community. Finding the right program can lead to new friends, help you learn a new skill, look good on your resume, reduce stress, and help connect you with the community.  Giving to others is good for the mind and soul. Why Volunteer Providing help to people or a community in need can give you a sense of purpose. Volunteering doesn't mean that you have to give up a big part of your time or has to be long term. You can give in simple ways such as donating food. A well-known benefit of volunteering is the connection you make with others volunteering and those you are helping. Connecting with other people not only helps you but them as well. Everyone can use a friend and deserves kindness. Helping with simple tasks can make a huge difference in the lives of people, animals, and the community as a whole. Volunteering is a grea...

Diapers Most would think the concept of diapers, both cloth and disposable, is the best thing ever. The bee's knees. They protect your baby’s bum and are strong enough to hold things where they are supposed to. But how much do you really know about diapers? Did you know they weren’t always like this? Cloth diapers were a “thing” and during the last century, they were the best way to handle babies messes. Disposable diapers weren’t available until the 40s, which were a luxury only a few could afford. A Bit of History There are historical documents that suggest parents used some form of the diaper during ancient times. Animal skins, moss, leaves, linens, or milkweed leaf are some of the materials used. During the Elizabethan times, some sort of cloth diaper was used but was rarely changed so children wore soiled diapers for days before being washed. During ancient times, Innuits placed moss under sealskin, Native Americans packed grass under diaper covers made of rabbit skin, ...