“With families” seen through the eyes of a mother

It was precisely two years ago when Marianna, who had given birth to her daughter Giulia several months before, took her first steps with the socio-educational project With the families. She was among the first parents welcomed into the program which is designed to support fragile families in our area who are struggling with the arrival of a child. 

“I approached the project "With the families” thanks to the psychologist at the Consultorio where I went after Giulia's birth. I felt inadequate, guilty; I needed some personal space. I often felt my child was a heavy burden. I did not feel I was "in seventh heaven" as the mothers I had met in the preparatory course said. Breastfeeding had been painful for me and I was constantly afraid that milk was not enough.

I had so many doubts: how to relate to Giulia? Will she be a good enough mom? Are all mothers the same? Why do I feel the desire to have space for myself, go out with my friends, go to the gym, spend the weekend alone with my husband?

It was a rather long process and the psychologist and the weekly meetings with Annachiara, the educator of the "With the families" project, were of great help.

Initially I was a little uncomfortable, I didn't know what to expect. I felt scrutinized. It is not easy to become comfortable with a new person who enters the intimacy of your home to observe the relationship with your child.

But Annachiara turned out to be a sunny person, always smiling and ready to play with little Giulia, available to welcome my stories and my confidences. In short, she is a friend who joins Giulia and me at the park on sunny days and who keeps us company on long winter afternoons.

My husband teases me, he says I have an entire multidisciplinary team at my service. On the other hand, isn't it said in Africa that to raise a child you need an entire village?".

“With the families” is possible thanks to the support of our donors. Every week Annachiara and Cecilia, the project’s two educators, go to the homes of the families, to help parents build a relationship with their child, support them in managing this change, valuing everyone's actions and skills .

If you want to offer concrete help to Marianna, Giulia and to many parents and children, please donate today.

And after two years from the start of the project? We will tell you soon!

The text has been adapted from a letter written to us by one of the mothers in the project, whom we thank for making herself available and for the beautiful words. Some elements have been modified to protect the privacy of the family.