Outdoor morning talks for moms
To the mom who drank her coffee cold again this morning, who feels overwhelmed by her mental load and could use a break to breathe: come get some fresh air with us.
- When
- 4 Tuesdays, 20 October to 10 November
- Length
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Fee
- $45 per workshop
- Where
- Parc du Domaine-Vert, Mirabel
As psychoeducators and moms, we see every day how much isolation and the pressure to be the “perfect mother” wear us out. We designed these mornings to offer the space we all need: psychoeducational workshops in the forest where you can come exactly as you are. They are a blend of a restorative walk, a talk on maternal mental health and time to share with other women.
The golden rule: chaos is welcome. Bring your stroller, your comfortable clothes and your fatigue. If your baby cries, if you need to breastfeed while walking or change a diaper on a bench, nobody will judge you. You don’t have to go off on your own.
The four sessions
Each workshop is designed to be taken on its own or as a complete series. Here are the themes:
Session 1 · Tuesday 20 October
Breathe, Mom! Taming anxiety
Parental performance anxiety and the constant fear of getting it wrong use up an immense amount of energy.
What we cover: How maternal anxiety works, and the difference between useful stress and cognitive overload.
The practical tool: Sensory grounding techniques in nature to bring the nervous system back to a state of calm.
Session 2 · Tuesday 27 October
Taming the mental load
We often feel we have to carry everything, from the family calendar to managing everyone’s emotions.
What we cover: The difference between visible and invisible work, and the toll of the “rescuer” syndrome.
The practical tool: Learning to name your needs without guilt, set clear limits at home and let go of micro-managing.
Session 3 · Tuesday 3 November
Making peace with the “perfect mother”
Maternal guilt (mom-guilt) often keeps us from savouring the present moment and taking care of ourselves.
What we cover: Taking apart the myths of ideal motherhood carried by society and social media.
The practical tool: Replacing the critical inner voice with self-compassion, to learn to treat ourselves with the same kindness we offer our children.
Session 4 · Tuesday 10 November
Finding the woman behind the mother
Motherhood can sometimes feel like putting the rest of who you are on pause.
What we cover: Grieving your former life, and the sense of lost identity during the postpartum period or burnout.
The practical tool: Ways to reflect and gently reconnect with your own values, your passions and your worth outside your role as a caregiver.
Practical details
- Fee
- $45 per workshop
- Park entrance
- $18 a day, or your annual pass, shown at the gate. Free for residents of Mirabel, Blainville, Sainte-Thérèse, Boisbriand and Rosemère.
- Place
- Parc du Domaine-Vert, Mirabel (the trails chosen are wide, flat and fully stroller-accessible)
- Limited places
- A maximum of 20 moms per group, for a close and safe atmosphere. Registration in advance is required.
You deserve to take care of yourself as much as you take care of others. Come and set your bags down with us for a few hours.
Registration
20 places per group. The billing policy in short:
- Nothing is charged when you register. Your card is charged $45 after each workshop you chose ($37.50 each if you are registered for all 4).
- Free cancellation more than 7 days before the workshop. After that, the full fee is charged, whether or not you attend.
- Can’t make it? You may give your place to another mom: just let us know by email.
- Rain or shine. The park entrance ($18) is paid at the gate, except for residents of Mirabel, Blainville, Sainte-Thérèse, Boisbriand and Rosemère.
Read the full policy
By registering for the outdoor mornings, I understand and accept the following conditions:
Charged after the event: I agree to provide a valid credit card when I register. I authorise Altera Psychoéducation to charge $45 (or $37.50 if registered for all 4 workshops) to this card on the same day, after each workshop I am registered for.
Attendance clause: I understand that this amount will be charged whether or not I attend the workshop, unless I have cancelled within the time limits below.
Cancellation policy:
- More than 7 days before the workshop: you may cancel at no charge. Your card will not be charged.
- Less than 7 days before the workshop: no refund (or waiving of the fee) is possible, because your place has been held and the group is limited. The full fee ($45) will be charged to your credit card.
- Transfer exception: if you cannot attend, you may give your place to another mom for that day. Just let us know by email before the event.
Weather and park fees:
- Workshops go ahead rain or shine.
- The regional park’s entrance fee ($18, free for residents of Mirabel, Blainville, Sainte-Thérèse, Boisbriand and Rosemère) is not included in the workshop fee and must be paid at the gate when you arrive.