Hello Edmond mamas!
Olivia Silva here– one of the instructors and program managers of New Mom School Edmond. We’re so thrilled you’ve found our blog! We felt the best way to kick off our Edmond blog series was to introduce you to the incredible mama behind it all.
Meet Jaclyn Buckingham– our owner, and the heart of New Mom School Edmond.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO CREATE A SAFE SPACE FOR MOTHERS?
“I spent most of my 20s climbing the corporate ladder, and for a while, that was incredibly fulfilling. But when I began my fertility journey, everything shifted. This wasn’t something I could just “work really hard” to achieve. There were parts of the journey that were completely out of my control– an experience that was both humbling and deeply emotional for me.
When we got pregnant, we were overjoyed. I had a wonderful pregnancy and honestly thought, “That must’ve been the hard part– it’s all smooth sailing from here.”
I pictured life with a newborn as soft and sweet– full of snuggles, coffee dates with friends, and long afternoons reading books.”
Postpartum turned out to be very different than what I had imagined.
“It all started at my 40-week OBGYN appointment. They were supposed to do a routine cervix check– but my water broke. It’s unclear whether it happened accidentally or intentionally, but either way, it meant I had to be induced. I was crushed. I had wanted to experience spontaneous labor.
The birth itself was long and painful, but thankfully uncomplicated. However, I entered postpartum in a really tough headspace because things weren’t turning out the way I had hoped or expected. Then the sleep deprivation hit hard, and I began to spiral into postpartum depression. This made it incredibly difficult to bond with my daughter, and even harder to accept my new identity as a mom.”
WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST REALITY CHECK FOR YOU POSTPARTUM?
“I mourned who I was before motherhood. I had to let go of so many freedoms I had before. The newborn phase is so challenging on every level– emotionally, physically, mentally. I was not prepared for the adjustments I was having to make. During this time, it was other new moms that got me through. They got me in touch with the resources I didn’t know I needed- from soothing baby tips, to finding a pelvic floor PT, to hiring a postpartum doula- which was truly life-saving for me.
Coming out of the fog of postpartum depression, I realized just how much of a lifeline those mothers had been for me. I thought, If there’s any way I can help another mom like they helped me– I want to do it.
That’s when I heard about New Mom School and the incredible impact it was having on my friends who had attended. I knew right then that we had to bring it to Oklahoma. So many new families are moving here, and so many moms are stepping into this chapter of motherhood just as I did– uncertain, unprepared, and hungry for community and support. We meticulously plan for birth, down to the smallest details, yet postpartum often remains a mystery, an uncharted territory with no roadmap.
I truly believe that’s why so many moms find themselves in a place they never expected, feeling isolated and unsupported. New Mom School removes that uncertainty. We’ve carefully curated a program packed with every resource a mom could need– sometimes before she even knows she needs it. We’ve built a village, a community of moms ready to provide friendship, encouragement, and understanding. It’s a comprehensive package designed to help moms navigate postpartum in the best possible way– exactly what every new mom deserves.”
AS A MOM OF 2, WHAT HAS BECOME YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT MOTHERHOOD?
“I heard a quote recently that said- “The best thing about parenting is watching your kids grow up, but that’s also the worst thing.” One of my favorite things is being able to step back from the day-to-day routines and truly be present with my kids– to slow down and watch them experience the world for the first time.
There’s something magical about seeing it all through their eyes. Watching my daughter chase fireflies, feeling the stillness as the rain falls through the trees– those simple moments become unforgettable when I get to be right there beside them.
As mothers, we come to realize what a high capacity for love we have. When I met their father, James, I was so in love. I truly believed, “This is it. This is the greatest love I’ll ever know.”
And then my daughter, Sophia, was born.
What I felt for her was something entirely different. It was deeper, more instinctive, more profound. When I became pregnant with her little brother, Owen, I remember thinking, “How could I ever love another little human the way I love Sophia– or James?”
And then Owen arrived.
And I learned something every mother eventually learns:
Love doesn’t divide– it multiplies.
The love I have for him is unique, just as special, and just as consuming.
It’s incredible how our hearts expand– stretching in ways we never imagine– making room for all the people we hold dear. It’s one of the most sacred parts of motherhood.”
WHY DOES NEW MOM SCHOOL HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BENEFIT ANYONE?
“The postpartum experience is unique to every person. Some moms may be far from family or lack friends with babies close in age. For these moms, having community and support is absolutely essential to navigating postpartum successfully.
But I want to be clear– New Mom School isn’t only for moms who are struggling or dealing with postpartum depression or anxiety. This program is also for moms who want to have fun, who want to learn, and who want to invest just an hour a week in themselves and their baby to become more confident, more equipped mothers.
Are the friends you have showing up for you at 3 a.m. when your baby has a weird rash? Or when your little one won’t settle back down after a night feed? If you text those friends saying you’re at the brink and need a break, would they be able to drop everything and come help?
At New Mom School, these are the kind of moms you’ll find– committed to showing up for each other. This isn’t meant to replace your existing friendships, but to add an essential layer of support to your circle. These are friends who are in the same season of life– unlike those who may be navigating very different phases of postpartum, parenting, or life in general, and might not be able to fully show up in the ways you need most.
If you already have that support, that’s truly incredible– and everyone deserves it. But who wouldn’t want another mom “girl gang” to share the postpartum journey with?
These mothers have more common ground with you then anyone else right now.
These moms don’t know the old you. Some friends knew you before motherhood, and while that can be beautiful, it can also come with expectations, old dynamics, or even a sense of pressure to be who you were. But the moms we introduce you to? They get to know you as you are now– as a mother. There’s something incredibly freeing about that– a clean slate, a fresh start with people who see and support the version of you that exists today. It’s a completely organic way to make new friends. These moms aren’t just here for the tough moments– they’re here to celebrate with you, to plan pool parties with your spouses, to grab coffee on busy mornings, and to experience the beautiful joys of motherhood together!
There’s always something new to learn when it comes to postpartum and parenting.
The research is constantly evolving, and it can be overwhelming to keep up. That’s why our curriculum is backed by trusted experts in the community– so you get the most current, evidence-based information to take care of yourself and your baby. As a mom of two, I can tell you firsthand: there were things I learned with my second that I wished I had known with my first. Total game-changers for surviving and thriving in the baby phase. Whether you feel like you know a lot or a little, there’s something in these classes that can completely level up your experience– often in ways you didn’t even expect.
And the best part? You get face-to-face time with these vetted experts without the cost of one-on-one consults, the hassle of driving across town, getting on waitlists, or scouring reviews. We’ve done the legwork for you. You’ll be in the room with moms just like you, asking the same questions, and building your new village together.”
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A MAMA READING THIS?
“Try it out. Honestly, there’s no reason not to come. If you’re a new mom, you will gain something valuable from this series. And if you come to class and don’t feel that way, call me– I’ll refund you the rest of the series. That’s how confident I am in what we’re offering. We can’t wait to have you in class.”
“To be able to provide a better postpartum experience for one mom– makes this all worth it. To be able to provide this for 100 moms and counting, goes beyond words.”