Kumi's Story: I moved to Canada from Japan for good when I was 6-month pregnant with my oldest son. It was a big decision to move to another country to raise a baby even though I had lived in Canada for a while as a student before. My partner’s family lives 2 and half-hour drive from where we live and although we took some prenatal classes, we didn’t get a chance to become close to other parents at that time.
After I had my first baby, my mom flew out from Japan for support as my husband had just started a new job and could not take any paternity leave. While I really appreciated my mom's support, she also confused me by giving outdated or culture-specific advice, often contradicting what my Family Doctor in Canada said. I was so confused and frustrated and didn’t know what was right for my baby. I felt very isolated and lonely at times and I also felt like I was the only one who was dealing with these issues. I started seeking connections and support by registering myself and my baby for local baby programs, but I still felt isolated sometimes as some of the moms who were in these programs already seemed to know one another and it was difficult for me to jump in on their conversations as English is not my first language and I felt hesitant to put myself out there. |
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Eventually, I made some friends with very nice people in these groups and outside of them but it took me a lot of courage and time to establish these friendships. If I had known there was a program like Best Babies, where you are supported from the prenatal stage through childbirth until your newborn baby is 6 months old, it could have been a little easier for me to nurture connections with other new moms.
As the years passed, I had another child, joined various playgroups, and made friends in our community. I even joined SNP’s Community Kitchen program, which eventually led me to work for the organization down the road as I had such a great experience connecting and making food with other parents. Over these years, I have made a lot of friends through these community programs and kids' schools and I still enjoy and cherish the friendships I built with them. I feel that it really does take a village to raise children, and the connections you make through communities make such a difference in you and your children’s lives.
I am very grateful for these community programs that are accessible to everyone and that create opportunities to meet people and make meaningful connections, and am proud to be a part of the organization that creates such opportunities.
As the years passed, I had another child, joined various playgroups, and made friends in our community. I even joined SNP’s Community Kitchen program, which eventually led me to work for the organization down the road as I had such a great experience connecting and making food with other parents. Over these years, I have made a lot of friends through these community programs and kids' schools and I still enjoy and cherish the friendships I built with them. I feel that it really does take a village to raise children, and the connections you make through communities make such a difference in you and your children’s lives.
I am very grateful for these community programs that are accessible to everyone and that create opportunities to meet people and make meaningful connections, and am proud to be a part of the organization that creates such opportunities.
Isolation in Parenting Is Real, But It Doesn’t Have to Be:
Kumi’s story of loneliness and isolation during her early parenting years is a reality many parents face today. Parental isolation is a silent epidemic, and despite being more digitally connected than ever, many parents still lack the genuine, in-person connections that are vital to mental health and well-being.
The truth is, that parenting can be an incredibly isolating experience, especially without a strong support system. Studies have found that social connections not only reduce feelings of loneliness but also help parents navigate the challenges of raising children with greater resilience and confidence. This highlights the critical need for community in today’s world.
At Saanich Neighbourhood Place, we believe every parent deserves a community that empowers them to thrive. Our programs are designed not only to provide support, but also to build lasting relationships where parents can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. By creating these spaces, we help parents feel understood, supported, and most importantly, less isolated.
The need for community is deeply rooted in our humanity. That’s why at SNP, we’re committed to fostering environments where parents can truly belong. Where individuals feel heard, valued, and supported. Our goal is to build a true neighbourhood, where no parent feels alone, and where families can thrive together.
This GivingTuesday, we invite you to join us in growing our programs and reaching more parents in need of connection and support. Your donation will directly impact our ability to provide more opportunities for parents like Kumi to form relationships that make a meaningful difference in their lives.
Kumi’s story of loneliness and isolation during her early parenting years is a reality many parents face today. Parental isolation is a silent epidemic, and despite being more digitally connected than ever, many parents still lack the genuine, in-person connections that are vital to mental health and well-being.
The truth is, that parenting can be an incredibly isolating experience, especially without a strong support system. Studies have found that social connections not only reduce feelings of loneliness but also help parents navigate the challenges of raising children with greater resilience and confidence. This highlights the critical need for community in today’s world.
At Saanich Neighbourhood Place, we believe every parent deserves a community that empowers them to thrive. Our programs are designed not only to provide support, but also to build lasting relationships where parents can connect, share experiences, and learn from one another. By creating these spaces, we help parents feel understood, supported, and most importantly, less isolated.
The need for community is deeply rooted in our humanity. That’s why at SNP, we’re committed to fostering environments where parents can truly belong. Where individuals feel heard, valued, and supported. Our goal is to build a true neighbourhood, where no parent feels alone, and where families can thrive together.
This GivingTuesday, we invite you to join us in growing our programs and reaching more parents in need of connection and support. Your donation will directly impact our ability to provide more opportunities for parents like Kumi to form relationships that make a meaningful difference in their lives.
If you are interested in supporting our GivingTuesday campaign for programs that focus on parental mental health, click the button below!
