Nathan was born in September of 2015. I was a new mom that had so much anxiety and depression through my pregnancy that I worried it carried over into my birth as I had PPD and felt like I was not able to bond with my son. My only safe place, my only haven was going to lactation classes and then developmental classes given by Clarice at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank the first year and a half. It was only there I didn’t feel like a complete failure of a mom. I had so much pressure, I felt like being a first time mom with so much expectations from my family it was overwhelming. I’m crying actually writing this testimony because I remember the gut wrenching fear I had during this time. And then we started attending classes I believe within the first two weeks. I was so scared showing up and was even able to talk to anyone as I sat there with my newborn whom I barely knew how to hold properly and then Clarice sat down next to me. The first time you meet her, you will forever be ingrained with her smile. It lifted the dark clouds up. She was gentle and so non-judgemental in her guidance at home and were even able to help change Nathan’s grandparents generational way of thinking into a new light. It was through Clarice that I found out how much I loved being a mother. We skipped any temperamental problems truly to toddler years and while all childhood has it’s challenges, I can say Nathan is growing into such a smart, kind, and loving child. The bonds created so early on in Clarice’s classes through her guidance have helped to shape myself as well as a mother being more understanding and able to communicate with my son on a level I felt I missed in my own childhood.

From the bottom of our hearts, Thank you. Our lives truly would not have been the same never meeting you.

-Stephanie Pinon, Parent