One of the most disheartening tropes nowadays is the overworked and underpaid teacher. For a profession in which 90 percent of its workforce reports contributing to society and influencing children’s development as one of the most important reasons for joining, it’s no secret that you’d be hard-pressed to find a teacher who says they got into it for the money.

Unfortunately however, just as incremental change and impact seem to go unnoticed, so too does the role that teachers play on a wide scale, coupled with the fact that teachers’ needs often exist on the periphery of our priorities as a society. After all, the children are our future, and thus the needs of students should be front and center. Right?

Julia Feste

Interestingly enough, teachers themselves would tend to agree with this. According to Julia Feste, a NonViolent Communication coach and trainer at Beijing Mindfulness Centre (BMC) who specializes in teaching, drawing on her own years of experience in the field, “Sometimes [teachers]are so focused on our students that we tend to forget our own needs,” adding, “Teachers are often exposed to difficult health issues as a consequence of constant stress and lack of proper self-care.”

More anecdotally, Feste points out that, “Contrary to some jobs, as a teacher, you cannot hide behind your computer on days you feel low and fatigued.”

That’s why, beginning Saturday, January 18, and running every subsequent Saturday, Feste will host Teachers Care, a support group for the education community, at BMC. The class will be held from 10-11.30am, and costs RMB 150 to attend. Each meeting will have a maximum of ten people to ensure that there’s room for everyone’s voice, and attendees are asked to abide by a strict confidentiality pact, so that everyone feels safe when sharing.

This comes on the heels of a similar event held last November, that was hugely successful. With roughly 30 people participating, representing the entire spectrum of educational settings, from kindergarten to high school teachers, principals, teacher trainers, and education association organizers, it became clear that this was a necessary event to help teachers, and by proxy, their students, continue to thrive.

As Feste explains, “In a big city like Beijing, it can be very easy to feel isolated. A support group for teachers is aimed to help teachers connect with people who have similar struggles, sharing best self-care practices, supporting each other towards emotional growth, empowerment, and a sense of well-being overall.”

For more information and to sign up for Teachers Care, click here, or scan the QR code above.

BCM is located at No. 44, Qian Yong Kang Hutong, Dongcheng

Photos: Pixabay, Julia Feste, BMC

In recent posts, I’ve written about our struggles as a family to adjust to life in Shunyi after two years in Chaoyang, and about how difficult it was to find an apartment and deal with the problems that arose.

I also asked where to find the creativity and community in Shunyi. When I came across the “Desperate Housewives of Shunyi,” that question was definitively answered. Having coffee with Lizbet Adams, María Cruz, and Elvira Zaera was a delight, as these ladies absolutely bubbled with energy, positivity and fun.

(l-r) Maria Cruz, Elvira Zaera, Lizbet Adams

The group’s name, they told me, is not just a reference to the TV program, but is explained in the notice on their Wechat group:

“… because we are desperate to give help, desperate to give hope, and especially desperate to give love to people in need in our community and help changing lives!”

“It started as a group of ladies who were friends,” Adams said. “Some have already gone but the group is surviving. We try to give each other emotional support, and have fun! Stay-at-home moms can go crazy alone by themselves all day, especially if they have language problems. We share information, like how to use Didi, how to use WeChat, and help people during their transition. I don’t want anybody to be left out… to be lonely and depressed and leave, having had a bad experience.”

From these beginnings the group has flourished, they said.

“We have 62 people in the Wechat group, mostly active members. It’s a private group – we don’t want to open it because we don’t want spectators. We want to meet people who want to be active, we want it to be relevant.”

“Some of the ladies I invite, because I know them; others are invited by others,” Zaera added. “It’s a chain of connections.”

“It’s a very multicultural group,” Cruz emphasized. “At the last meeting we had ladies from Russia, Germany, Finland, South America, Kazakhstan, Austria, Brazil… It would be fantastic to have some Chinese ladies in the group; it’s not cool if it’s just something for expats. We don’t want the group to be segregated. This is our home now, and it’s important to get adjusted to the culture.”

I asked what the group gets up to.

“We have coffee mornings, and meet for lunch,” Adams said. “There’s a schedule every month. Different people meet at different times. I understand people are busy! I’m busy sometimes. Whoever can come can take over.”

The group has held clothing auctions to raise money for Dew Drops Little Flower, and they have big plans for the future.

“We’re planning a small food fair, the Shunyi Quality Food Fair. We want to create a platform for people to promote local businesses. We want to invite guest speakers, and have lectures, if anybody can support us. We want the group to not only be about socializing, but also to be productive, about dealing with emotions, about learning something new, something cultural.”

The ladies acknowledged the help they’ve received from their supporters: V Etiquette, Cheers, Shalimar, Sunny Dental, Elvira’s Nuts, and Cose Beauty Products.

“People are so generous,” Adams said. “It’s so easy here to sponsor events, and connect with other people. Everybody is so open to collaborate and support each other, to do things together.”

It’s a wonderfully uplifting message, and I’m sure not the last I will hear about the community in Shunyi.

Photos: courtesy of Desperate Housewives of Shunyi

Going through the process of pregnancy, delivery, and early motherhood is challenging for any woman however, the feeling is amplified when you’re far away from “home.” Often times, we new moms may feel scared and alone if we are unfamiliar with the city. The good news is that there is an incredible organization with a variety of support groups available in Beijing called Bumps2Babes. Beijing Bumps2Babes started just over two years ago as a support group for pregnant moms and those with non-mobile babies. The small group of western moms needed an excuse to get out of the house with their babies on a regular basis, meet other moms with children of similar ages, learn from, and support each other. As their babies have grown, and as group members have steadily increased (there are currently over 200 members), there are now several subgroups in the CBD area.

The groups offer a free and easy way to meet other moms as well as to make friends for both mom and baby. Many moms express what a life saver the groups are and how great it is to realize you aren’t the only foreigner with a baby in China. (Crazy, but it’s how we all feel sometimes, right?)

I have been to a few Bumps2Babes gatherings myself and am active in the WeChat group. It has been an invaluable resource on a number of occasions. The morning before we left to the UK recently, Kai was inconsolable between teething and diaper rash, and I was totally freaked out about the long flight ahead with a screaming baby. I messaged the group and received almost a dozen helpful tips. Honestly, this is a lovely group of women.

Each group is organized by a volunteer mom who can decide on location and content. Some groups like to meet up and simply chat over coffee, others prefer to organize topics, speakers, etc. Groups are created on a need basis: usually as the babies grows (2-year-old toddlers can no longer meet in coffee shops, for example, as they need a safe space to explore and be creative), or if a mom would like a coffee morning in her area, etc. Here’s a rundown of current support groups:

Bumps2Babes (B2B): A support group for pregnant moms or those with a baby not yet fully mobile. Meets Friday mornings in Sanlitun.
Babes2Cruisers (B2C): A group for more mobile babies (up to about 18 months old. Meets Friday mornings in Sanlitun.
B2B Toddler Playgroup: A group for the fully mobile 15-30 month age group. This is a full on playgroup with songs, stories, messy play, and anything fun and creative our moms come up with. Meets every Wednesday morning at Beijing City International School’s Early Childhood Center in Shuangjing.
B2B @ weekends: For working moms and dads or those that prefer to meet other families at weekends. Dates and locations vary.
Mondays @ MyGym: For all ages (currently newborns up to about 30 months). Use of the gym facilities and chat over coffee at the MyGym CBD location. RMB 60 per family.
Coffee Mornings: There are regular coffee mornings happening in moms’ homes around the CBD area.

The groups are primarily for English speaking expat moms but dads are welcome to some of the groups.

All groups run independently of each other, however there is a weekly newsletter so anyone interested can attend or contact the relevant group organizers. There are occasionally group offers posted on the newsletters such as mommy makeovers, group buy discounts, etc. Newsletters also advertise any mom/baby related ventures that members are involved with.

If you’re interested in learning more, contact Gemma at beijingbumps2babes@gmail.com

Theresa Pauline is a yoga teacher, social entrepreneur, momma, wife, and beijingkids contributor. You can find out more about her at www.taozitreeyoga.com. 

Photos: Courtesy of Bumps2Babes

A new pregnancy support group called Bumps2Babes has started up this week for all expectant moms, new moms, and moms of babies. The goal is to exchange information in an informal setting.

The free meetings will take place every Friday morning from 10am to 11.30am at SOHO Shangdu (beside The Place, just west of Central Park). Every week, there will be a new discussion or speaker.

Because Bumps2Babes is intended as a support group for moms, only non-mobile babies are allowed.

For parents who live in Wangjing and Lido, there’s also the pregnancy/breastfeeding support group that takes place on the second Friday of each month at Beijing United Family Hospital.

For World Breastfeeding Week, round up your new mom friends and attend the beijingkids-sponsored Big Latch On on Saturday, August 3 at BJU.

Photo by lululemonathletica (Flickr)