Working Momkind: Connecting Mothers Across Communities

By: Community Magazine | February 24, 2021 |  Local , Meet Your Neighbor |  Red Bank

FEATURED PHOTO: Ingrid Read CREDIT: Vianney, VNA Creates

Meet Your Neighbor: Ingrid Read

Becoming a mother is a profound experience, and Ingrid Read soon realized it also gives rise to many unforeseen feelings and questions, not only about motherhood, but also about balancing personal and professional ambitions. Three years ago, Ingrid found herself scouring the internet for some direction and knew she could not possibly be alone in feeling a bit lost. She recognized the sense it would make for information to be available all in one place, and so, while on maternity leave, Ingrid created Working Momkind, an online community now helping more than 176,000 moms worldwide find support and information. Last year, she added an additional layer of support–she is now a certified Postpartum Doula. Meet Ingrid Read, whose decision to solve a common problem has led to a source of comfort for so many.
 

CM: Tell us about your family.
Ingrid: I live in Red Bank with my husband, Todd, our 3-yearold son Carter, and our Toy Poodle named Frankie. We moved from Brooklyn to Red Bank last winter, and we are currently living in the house Todd’s mother grew up in. He spent his whole life visiting Red Bank, where his grandparents were small business owners, with family in the community dating back multiple generations. Despite the pandemic restrictions, we’ve quickly fallen in love with the area. Having the beach so close was a huge plus this past summer!

CM: What is the mission of Working Momkind?
Ingrid: Working Momkind was born right after my son in 2017. When you become a mother, your priorities change, and sometimes your goals and ambitions can end up taking a backseat. Working Momkind is the go-to destination for mothers of all walks of life. Besides our blog, we offer a growing directory of resources such as: Crowdfunding for entrepreneurs, Career Advice, Infant and Childhood Wellness, Diversity and Inclusion, Workplace Rights, and more. Last summer, we launched a private community that connects mothers virtually and in-person. Every month we host virtual events. A few of our standing events include a postpartum support group, a book club, mommy hour, guest expert events, networking opportunities, and more.

CM: You mention a postpartum support group. What led you to become a Postpartum Doula, and what does that entail?
Ingrid: I wanted to provide a higher level of support for the community I have built. About 1 in 10 new mothers suffer from postpartum depression, and a lot of this has to do with the lack of emotional and physical support after birth. Most mothers do not see their healthcare providers until their sixweek checkup, and as a certified Postpartum Doula, I can provide an additional layer of support for new mothers by helping them learn how to care for their new baby while also adjusting to their new life as a parent.

CM: Are there plans to expand Working Momkind in 2021?
Ingrid: Absolutely! My goal is to continue to help members fulfill their dreams and crush their personal and professional goals. I plan to launch a program to help mothers with entrepreneurial aspirations establish their brand and grow their businesses at their own pace and from the comfort of their own home. Helping mothers achieve a level of flexibility is a passion I have developed since I became a mother who is “trying to do it all.” We also will be focusing on partnering with businesses and organizations to foster and maintain a family-oriented culture and environment for their employees, both in the office and remotely. Pandemic-related job losses have affected women the most, mainly due to the lack of childcare, school schedule changes, and flexibility in the workplace.

CM: Do you have a favorite quote or philosophy?
Ingrid: There is a quote that has always resonated with me. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” Imagine how far you can go when you can easily tap into a like-minded community of women who are traveling down the same road as you or have already gotten to the destination; the opportunities are endless.

CM: Is there anything you’d like readers to know?
Ingrid: It does not matter how many children you have, what you do for a living, or what stage of motherhood you are in. If you are a new mom or veteran mom struggling and feeling like you are lost, know you are not alone. There is a community of supportive and encouraging mothers waiting to welcome you with open arms.

Visit workingmomkind.com for more information.