SAN ANTONIO – Becoming a new parent is not only exciting, but it can also be a bit overwhelming. It’s why the Children's Shelter has a special program to help new moms called the ‘Nurse Family Partnership.’
The program not only gives moms tips on how to keep their children happy and healthy, but it also tailors their services to meet the individualized needs of parents to ensure their success.
"She’s my life. She’s my whole life," Darlene Reyes said of her daughter Anabella.
Anabella is Darlene's first child. Reyes told us she was nervous about becoming a mom because she didn't want cerebral palsy to hold her back from becoming a good parent.
"I've always done babysitting jobs, but it was kind of hard. I never realized I could do it by myself. I’m a single mom and that’s what motivates me," Reyes said.
That’s where Nurse Family Partnership comes in.
"These women get a personal nurse who comes to their home and does this visit and talks to them about what’s normal, what’s not normal, develop your child for their social, emotional, physical skills, and getting them ready for long term successful educational experiences," nurse supervisor Angela Montez said.
The nurses help their clients with different tasks related to parenting, even cooking in the kitchen. The program began in 2008 and serves many first-time pregnant low-income women. Nurses visit moms on a weekly basis to help them with their children. The program is very specialized. Reyes said her nurse Angela Montez helped make her home and certain aspects of parenting handicap friendly.
"We took a flight vest and we modified it and made this strap on the back so when Anabella comes up to her [mom]. She can help pull Anabella up and this strap keeps her safe in her seat," Montez said.
Reyes said her daughter has always been her biggest motivator, but this program has given her a extra boost of confidence.
"You don’t need to have a man to be a family. It could just be you and your daughter, or you and your son, but those people-your, your kids, will make you the woman that you want to become," Reyes said.
The Nurse Family Partnership has about openings for about 100 new clients, for more information on the program, you can head to their website.
With kids are back in school and nurses with the Children Shelter’s Nurse Family Partnership have a few tips for parents to keep kids from getting sick and missing out on class. They said it’s important to remind our kids to cover their mouths when coughing, wash their hands to prevent germs, and to avoid putting their heads together for selfies to avoid spreading head lice, which tends to crop up in the beginning of the school year.