For Mothers

Kamalat äidit® – peer support group for mothers of teenagers.

“I have more faith in myself; I am a good mom as I am”.

Is your child’s puberty a challenge for your family? Would you like to share your thoughts with other mothers in the same life situation as you?

Join a Kamalat äidit peer-support group!

Kamalat äidit® organizes peer support activities for mothers of teenagers. In the groups, we discuss around parenthood and themes related to women’s lives, share knowledge about teenage years and encourage mothers to talk and share their thoughts with the other participants.

The groups are open to all mothers of teenagers. After the first meeting, to ensure confidentiality, the group continues as a closed group.

The Kamalat äidit® groups are peer-support group leaders’ led groups, to which every mother of teenager can participate. In the group, we discuss about daily life challenges such as curfews, use of money, intoxicants and addictions, as well as about the things that the mothers are wondering and want to talk about.

The peer support groups meet every second week, 10 times in total, for approximately an hour and a half each time. 4 to 10 mothers can participate to the group. We expect the participants to be committed for the 10 times.

Peer-support activities

  • Are a reciprocal and confidential exchange of experience.
  • Are based on people’s need to give and receive support from one another.
  • Are about sharing one’s own experience and life situation in an environment which respects each participant.

Would you like to join?

  • The Kamalat äidit groups meet in many different places all around Finland and new groups are started all the time.  You can find more information about the groups in our calendar ora sk directly to our team via email: kamalataidit@ywca.fi
  • If there isn’t any Kamalat äidit group in your city, you can start one yourself! Contact us at: kamalataidit@ywca.fi
  • Follow us and share with others on social media on our main Facebook page and our multilingual Facebook page.

Kamalat äidit® operating model is a registered trademark since the Autumn 2013. The Finnish YWCA coordinates it and STEA is its funder.

Moms’ feedback

” This was a good pause for my own mind. It was so nice, great.”

“ The peer support was meaningful”.

“the peer support has made my life easier”

”I’m a more kind towards myself”

”You always get support, cheers, strength”

”I dared to speak in the group and I got strength”.

The image of a mother sacrificing all her dreams to her husband and children is an inspiring example. But what about you? You deserve your dreams. You’re a wonderful mother, and you’re also a wonderful woman.

Pam Brown

Terrible mothers’ activities, spring 2023

Interactive workshop for mothers of teenagers

Terrible mothers’ workshops where participants have a chance to get familiar with the Terrible mothers’ activities and workshops

1.3.2023 (17:00 – 18:30) The numerous roles of a mother – registration

Evenings for moms of teens

Expert information on parenting topics of teenagers

5.4.2023 (18:00 – 19:30)  Teenagers’ mental health, MIELI ry – registration

Online (Teams)

How to start conversations that enhance young people’s mental health?

How can parents support their teenagers’ mental health in their day-to-day interactions?

In this evening for mothers of teenagers, we will learn to identify the factors that support or overwhelm young people’s mental health. We will also get information on networks that offer support services for parents and young people on mental health related matters.

We will have two experts speaking from MIELI ry Mental Health Finland speaking on the matter. Ms Elina Marjamäki who will focus on the youth and Ms Melis Arı-Gürhanlı whose focus will be on the mothers.

There will be a brief presentation of Terrible Mothers’ activities at the beginning of this online event.

Chats in English

Come and chat about the day to day joys and challenges you face as a mother of a teenager with peer counsellors on the Tukinet platform

7.3.2023 (19:00 – 20:30) Link to the chat

4.4.2023 (19:00 – 20:30) Link to the chat

4.5.2023 (19:00 – 20:30) Link to the chat

Orientation for peer support group leaders (Teams)

After participating in our orientation, you will be able to lead a group or facilitate a chat to support mothers of teenagers in a meaningful way. Groups can also be held online and/or in a different language. We offer group leader trainings in English about twice a year, see our website for details. We also organise additional training and recreational activities for our instructors!

25.4.2023 (17:00 – 20:00) Part I: Introduction to the Terrible mothers activity model and the role of the group leader

9.5.2023 (17:00 – 19:00) Part II: Diversity and inclusion in the Terrible mothers peer support groups

Registration

In 2023, we will also be organising a brief training for peer support group leaders in collaboration with the Finnish Refugee Council. This training will be in Easy Finnish on Teams. You can already add the date/time to your calendar.

6.5.2023 (12:00 – 16:00) Selkosuomenkielinen koulutus ryhmänohjauksesta Kamalat äidit ryhmänohjaajille

The registration period will be on 3.4.–4.5.2023. If you wish to have the link sent directly to you, send an email request to dora.puhakka AT ywca.fi