Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra Spitz
Hi Alexandra, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
When my first son was born in 2011, I was shocked by the experience–maybe even traumatized to a degree. It was so much more challenging than I expected. And at the time I didn’t recognize no one had prepared me for it, all I felt was guilt for having such a hard time with it. My son was an “easy” baby, so I felt like I should have been enjoying things more. But the overwhelming demands of caring for a newborn made me feel like a captive and I grieved the loss of my freedom. I needed help.
I joined a Mommy and Me group in Los Angeles where I met 11 other amazing women whose babies were born within weeks of my son. I had no idea the positive impact this group would have on all of us, nor did I ever think that these women would become some of my best friends.
This group changed my life, not just as a mom, wife, and woman–it led me to my passion and purpose.
It wasn’t until completing that class series that I realized how important it is to have other moms experiencing the same phase in motherhood supporting you on your journey–and I recognized the staggering lack of support for new moms in our society.
Fast forward 1.5 years when my husband was relocated to OC and it was time for me to leave my job and figure out what to do next. I had been working in commercial real estate as the Operations Director of a development firm for 12 years prior and I couldn’t imagine working for anyone else at that point. I noticed OC didn’t have an age-specific mommy and me program for new moms so I decided it was my calling to create one to give other moms the same experience and support that I had as a new mom. Within 6 weeks I had a website launched and classes running.
We launched in January of 2013 and 11 years later, we’ve supported over 6,000 moms in our classes. And it’s grown into something so much more than just a “mommy and me” class. Our 10-week courses include a research-based curriculum, highly sought after guest health and wellness experts, and support from prestigious health professionals and institutions.
I’ve had the opportunity to work with the most amazing people to make everything happen thus far (big shout out to my husband as the #1 supporter and investor!). That list of amazing people has started growing significantly since last September when I opened up New Mom School as a national franchise opportunity. It’s been a dream of mine for a very long time and now I get to fulfill my two greatest passions: fundamentally changing how new moms are cared for, and empowering moms to be their own boss and take control of their lives.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
On one hand, it’s smooth and I feel like I cheated because I truly love what I do and it doesn’t always feel like “work”. I’m also not going to paint pursuing your passion as an easy route to take. There have been many, many struggles.
When I was 13 months in, I was teaching 8 classes per week, doing all of the administrative work and social media and had just had my second son. That was definitely a struggle I didn’t foresee happening, but failure wasn’t an option and–as moms do–I persisted (regardless of lost sleep or a sink full of dirty dishes) because I was on a bigger mission.
During that period, I realized I needed help, so I started to bring on additional instructors and help behind the scenes. The team has grown over the years and I’ve mostly worked with exceptional people (that I’m so grateful for!), but people can be a struggle, as well. Something important I’ve learned is to recognize when things aren’t working and to cut ties quickly (diplomatically–to avoid burning bridges). As women and moms, we’re often people-pleasers and we stick in situations that aren’t good for far longer than we should. It’s been much better for my own mental health and my business to tackle those difficult situations sooner rather than later.
As you know, we’re big fans of New Mom School. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Like I mentioned, New Mom School is on a mission to fundamentally change how new moms are cared for. Becoming a mother is one of the most significantly transformative (and disruptive) physical and psychological changes a human will experience–and, quite frankly, the US is failing to support moms. (Among many other things, the US is one of only six countries without a national paid leave policy.) Up to 80% of women in the US experience some form of postpartum distress–from the more common ‘baby blues’ to full-blown depression. It’s no surprise given the lack of social support combined with the unrealistic expectations placed on new moms. And it’s not only detrimental to moms, it’s bad for babies and families, too.
That’s why I created New Mom School. After surviving the chaos and freefall myself, I gathered all the essential, evidence-based information and collaborated with top experts across various fields to create a comprehensive program. Our classes cover everything from the basics of newborn care to managing your well-being—ensuring you’re equipped to not just survive, but to truly enjoy motherhood and thrive as a person.
This is first-of-its kind support for moms. What sets us apart?
#1 – We group moms together based on their baby’s birth month which means that moms are experiencing the exact same phase at the same time. This creates an incredibly deep bond and sense of community because the empathy and support comes from a place of genuine understanding.
#2 – Our instructors use evidence-based curriculum for every course and individual classes feature local experts that help with everything from pelvic floor therapy and pediatric sleep to relationships and mental health. The breadth of knowledge and expertise our moms get access to is unparalelled. I like to say New Mom School is everything you NEVER KNEW you needed to know!
#3 – We pride ourselves on being mom-centric. This isn’t just about feeding schedules or sleep training; it’s about saving your sanity, preserving your marriage, and rediscovering joy.
New Mom School is a new framework for thriving in motherhood!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://newmomschool.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newmomschool
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/newmomschool/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/new-mom-school-costa-mesa
