When 25-year-old Catherine Stewart became a new mom, life looked very different from what she imagined.
“I was dealing with postpartum depression and really bad anxiety. Trinity is my first child and, at first, I was really scared,” Catherine admitted. “I didn’t know how to play with her. I thought, I’m not sure how to do this. I don’t have a big family to help me.”
Being a young mother with social anxiety can feel isolating. Like many new parents, Catherine found that connecting with others wasn’t easy. Something as seemingly simple as setting up a playdate or attending a community event felt overwhelming.
Without a support system, it’s easy to pull away, but that isolation takes a toll on both the parents and their children. Even at just one year old, limited social interaction can hinder a child’s cognitive and speech development. It can lead to emotional and social delays and impact the child’s ability to form relationships later in life.
“I wanted to be more involved in the community, but I didn’t know how,” said Catherine. “I needed help opening up and feeling comfortable around people.”
Recognizing the importance of connection for both herself and her daughter, Catherine spoke with her Department of Social Services (DSS) social worker about her feelings of loneliness and anxiety. That conversation led her to Connected Families, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by South Carolina First Steps, the Department of Social Services, and the Department of Mental Health.
SC First Steps partners with DSS to support families involved in family preservation cases through the Parents as Teachers (PAT) program. First Steps delivers PAT to help families in crisis work toward reunification or preventing separation. By coordinating services across multiple agencies, the program creates a network of support that empowers parents and helps children thrive.
That’s how Catherine met Nikiyah Spearman, a Connected Families parent educator. From their first visit, Nikiyah focused on helping Catherine feel supported and confident in her role as a mom.
Although 17-month-old Trinity was initially wary of Nikiyah, she’s beginning to warm up. “Nikiyah always brings fun little activities we can do together, extra ways to play with her and use different toys,” Catherine said. “She brings us books and taught me how to read with Trinity.”
Through one-on-one training and access to resources, workshops, and parenting groups, Nikiyah helped Catherine build confidence, strengthen her bond with Trinity, and feel more connected to her community.
In addition to emotional and educational support, Nikiyah provided practical help, bringing Catherine diapers, milk, and assisting with accessing programs like SNAP and other community resources. She also shared tips on healthy meals, screen time limits, and ways to make every day play more engaging.
As their visits continued, Nikiyah encouraged Catherine to join local outings to the pumpkin patch, the library, and other family events. One of the program’s biggest benefits, Catherine said, has been meeting other moms with similar stories. Those shared experiences helped her begin to overcome her social anxiety. "Talking with other moms made me realize that I’m not alone. The anxiety is mostly in your head,” she said. “If you really need somebody, there’s always someone who’ll be there for you.”
Now Catherine enjoys spending time with other families and says her relationship with her daughter has significantly improved since starting the program: “I feel more confident taking Trinity out and doing more with her.”
Reflecting on her journey, Catherine feels proud of her growth as a mother and encourages other parents to take advantage of programs like Connected Families. “It helps you grow in your community as a mom and as a parent,” she said.
Catherine’s story is a reminder that reaching out for help takes courage, but those moments of vulnerability are where connection begins.
Learn more about Connected Families and other parenting programs offered by South Carolina First Steps.
Topics:
Parenting, Home Visiting
