We hope that you're enjoying finding out more about our different instructors who teach the prenatal classes, mommy&me groups, baby music classes, and all the other workshops and sessions we do here at A Mother's Haven Boutique & Educational Center.
Our next interview is with Jill Campbell - so many moms have had the benefit of being with Jill in our
Mothers' Gathering classes, which are wonderful education-support-community groups where new moms are together with other moms who have babies the same age. Everyone's going through the same stages and issues, and the instructor informs and supports the whole group through the huge life change of raising a baby!
AMH: Jill, how did you decide to get into this field?
Jill: My areas of interest in grad school were women's issues, with an emphasis on body image and eating disorders, and child development.
Before I had my daughter, I did a lot of work in the Beverly Hills school district and private schools in Los Angeles. When my daughter, Alexandra, was born in 1996, I was one of my first friends to have a baby. She was very colicky and diagnosed with a milk protein intolerance. As much as I was thrilled to have this wonderful baby girl, I was also overwhelmed, exhausted, and socially isolated.
At the time, I was looking for a place to complete my post-doc internship hours. A colleague and mentor suggested Cedars Sinai Early Childhood Center because she felt the program would not only be interesting, but was also very relevant to my own life. It was then I realized that this support is what I wanted to provide to other new moms.
Well, that was almost 15 years ago, and since then working with new moms and their babies has become my passion. Each week I get to work with over sixty first-time mothers (and a few second-time mothers) guiding and supporting them through this huge life transition. And I love it!
AMH: What can new moms expect to learn or get from your Mothers' Gathering class?
Jill: My goal is to enable moms to feel confident in their new role and to help them find their own authentic style of parenting. In my classes, we discuss all the things that come up in the first year of motherhood and your baby - the cognitive, emotional and physical developments along with the reality of how life changes. There’s a lot that can be taken from other moms sharing their experiences too, not to mention the bonds and friendships formed with other moms and their babies.
AMH: What is your philosophy on parenting?
Jill: Practice mindful parenting. Live in the moment and tap into your own intuition and values when deciding what’s right for you and your child. Embrace your imperfections. Filter out advice you receive (there will be plenty - from friends and family as well as strangers) with no judgment and integrate what fits best for you.
AMH: How would you describe yourself in 5 words or less?
Jill: Hmm, I have to think about that... (Her students who were sitting nearby quickly offered these descriptions: Genuine, warm, understanding, knowledgeable, balanced, non-judgmental.)
AMH: What inspires you? What drives you?
Jill: I’m really inspired by babies and children in general because they live so in the moment. I also integrate eastern philosophy in my work such as the teachings of Jon Kabat-Zinn. I’m driven by the hope that we can all find a happy balance in our everyday lives and routines.
AMH: How do you stay current in your field?
Jill: I’m always reading (books and online articles) and I take continuing education classes on early childhood development and spirituality. Talking to different moms also really helps me stay up to date on a variety of issues, products, and trends.
AMH: What products/resources would you recommend to new or expecting moms?
Jill: The
netted teethers are great so they can munch on cold fruit.
Nature noise machines, I find often help with sleeping as well as
swaddle blankets.
In my class, we also discuss different websites for caregivers and community (such as
Jen’s List - a local blog/newsletter that’s become a popular resource for families with kids of all ages). We also talk about preschools in the area and websites that are useful to research these schools as well as Mindful Parenting concepts and resources.
AMH: What is one thing people would be surprised to know about you?
Jill: That I have tattoos. (A flower on her foot and a butterfly on her back)
AMH: Favorite hobby? pastime?
Jill: Shopping... that’s not too shallow, right? (She says jokingly.) I love yoga and hiking too.
AMH: Favorite spot in LA?
Jill: Malibu Creek Park is beautiful. Zuma Beach is pretty great too. And Fred Segal in Santa Monica!
AMH: Favorite advice to give new/expecting moms?
Jill: This too shall pass... (She says with a smile.) There is also a Buddha quote I give to my moms the first day of class: “Believe nothing, no matter where you read it, or who said it, no matter if I have said it, unless it agrees with your own reason and your own common sense. “ Which basically speaks to all the unsolicited advice people offer on parenting - you have to listen with no judgment and filter it through your own sense of reason and values when integrating what’s right for you.
Jill Campbell, Psy.D. is a mother and a licensed clinical psychologist who specializes in early child development. Dr. Campbell received her B.S. from Boston University in 1988, her M.A. from New York University in 1991, and her Psy.D. from Ryokan College in 1995. She completed her post-doctoral training at Cedars Sinai Early Childhood Center in Los Angeles. Jill has worked with parents of infants and toddlers in private practice, and has also conducted workshops on a variety of child development topics for a group pediatric practice in Encino. She has been a guest speaker on different issues for preschools and moms clubs in the Los Angeles area, and currently leads mommy and me classes throughout the San Fernando Valley. Dr. Campbell has received over 60 continuing ed credits in mindful meditation and spiritual psychology.
You can learn more on our website about the
Mothers' Gathering classes that Jill teaches, as well as read more about what moms who have taken the classes
have to say.
Check out some of our other
Featured Instructor and Staff interviews:
Synthia Praglin - teaches
Mothers' Gathering
Terri O'Donnell - Store Manager
Lauren Ryan - teaches
Supported Birth and
Caring For Your Newborn
Danielle Brooks - teaches
Mothers' Gathering
Danielle Vorzimer - teaches
Mothers' Gathering
Kara Rose Dragun - teaches
Breastfeeding 101,
Kindermusik and
Tiny Dancer
Leslye Adelman - teaches the
Prepared Childbirth One-Day Intensives, the
Breastfeeding 101 prenatal workshops, and the
Caring For Your Newborn prenatal workshops. She also facilitates our weekly
Breastfeeding Support Group, and is available for private
Lactation Consults
