Mothers Like Us Founder, Pia Mattix Davis, was convinced that she would spank when she had children. After having grown up with a mother who was ill equipped for the demands of parenthood, Pia was conditioned to believe that the methods employed by her mother were an acceptable means of discipline. A chance encounter with an old acquaintance at IKEA completely changed her parenting philosophy. Pia observed as the mother parked a stroller besides a display of wine glasses. The child under the age of two, reached out and grabbed a box causing the display to dismantle on one side. Before inspecting the child for cuts, the mom immediately hit the child multiple times.
Why was a child who does not know right from wrong hit for reaching for an object of interest? Why did mom hit the child because she placed the child in arms reach of a display of glassware? These questions and many more swam through Pia's head. With time she came to realize that a parent's reactions to their children's actions are not cause by the child's mistakes or misbehavior, but from the parents inability to control their actions.
When her first child was born 5 months later, Pia was determined to parent her child in a manner free of abuse and criticism. With the help of the internet and firmresolve, she managed to employ techniques which have served her well over the past eleven years. Early on, she did hit her son's bottom once after he ran into the street. However, in the moments that followed she quickly realized that her actions were wrong and not his. Pia should have held his hand, or left him in the stroller, or simply not allowed him to wander so far away close to a moderately busy street. At 14 months of age her son simply wanted to practice his newly acquired, developmentally appropriate, skill of running.
With her first child, Pia experienced opposition and criticism from friends and strangers who were convinced that spanking was the only way to raise law abiding, God fearing children. Fortunately she was not deterred by their beliefs and chose to parent her son with reason and patience. Eleven years later with a new addition to the family, Pia wanted to connect with other Black moms who shared a similar philosophy, and to support those who are interested in parenting without a need for physical or punitive punishment. On a whim she created the Facebook group Positive Parenting Support Group for Black Moms which quickly grew to over 3000 members.
There are many Positive Parenting groups, but very few that are a safe place for Black moms to discuss the impact of race, and cultural experiences on parenting practices in the Black Community. PPSGFBM, which is now known as Mothers Like Us: Positive Parenting for Black Moms is just that, a place for Black American moms and mothers of African Descent to support one another in their journey to parent with reason, compassion,and respect for their children's needs wishes and desires.
Pia hopes that Mothers Like Us will become a useful parenting tool for Mothers and Fathers in the black community.
Why was a child who does not know right from wrong hit for reaching for an object of interest? Why did mom hit the child because she placed the child in arms reach of a display of glassware? These questions and many more swam through Pia's head. With time she came to realize that a parent's reactions to their children's actions are not cause by the child's mistakes or misbehavior, but from the parents inability to control their actions.
When her first child was born 5 months later, Pia was determined to parent her child in a manner free of abuse and criticism. With the help of the internet and firmresolve, she managed to employ techniques which have served her well over the past eleven years. Early on, she did hit her son's bottom once after he ran into the street. However, in the moments that followed she quickly realized that her actions were wrong and not his. Pia should have held his hand, or left him in the stroller, or simply not allowed him to wander so far away close to a moderately busy street. At 14 months of age her son simply wanted to practice his newly acquired, developmentally appropriate, skill of running.
With her first child, Pia experienced opposition and criticism from friends and strangers who were convinced that spanking was the only way to raise law abiding, God fearing children. Fortunately she was not deterred by their beliefs and chose to parent her son with reason and patience. Eleven years later with a new addition to the family, Pia wanted to connect with other Black moms who shared a similar philosophy, and to support those who are interested in parenting without a need for physical or punitive punishment. On a whim she created the Facebook group Positive Parenting Support Group for Black Moms which quickly grew to over 3000 members.
There are many Positive Parenting groups, but very few that are a safe place for Black moms to discuss the impact of race, and cultural experiences on parenting practices in the Black Community. PPSGFBM, which is now known as Mothers Like Us: Positive Parenting for Black Moms is just that, a place for Black American moms and mothers of African Descent to support one another in their journey to parent with reason, compassion,and respect for their children's needs wishes and desires.
Pia hopes that Mothers Like Us will become a useful parenting tool for Mothers and Fathers in the black community.
Pia |
Krystal |
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