In addition to our weekly MC activities, we have been getting to know the Mommy Connections Director for Regina, Jaclyn Roach. For the past four weeks, we have been learning more about MC and how it got it's start here in the Queen City. This week I decided to change gears and ask about down time.
What do you do for yourself outside of momming and running MC?
I always love hearing about what other moms are doing for themselves. After that needy newborn period ends, and you begin to see a glimpse of your new normal, it is so important to take that time to reconnect with yourself. Whether that's trying something new or rejoining something old, it feels good to practice some self care. That's how Ventures in Motherhood was born. I needed a little push to kick that mom-guilt to the curb and take some time for me. And my daughter loves seeing her mom find joy in new and old hobbies.
We have just one class left! If you missed one of the weekly MC articles, you can catch up here!
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In case you haven't heard, we've teamed up with Mommy Connections in Regina to give you the inside scoop on what these programs are all about. Each week, Rowyn and I attend a session at a new location and try an activity geared toward her age group. And while we're at it, we thought we would also take the opportunity to get to know Jaclyn, the program's director for the Queen City.
Why do you think programs like MC are so important for families?
I think this type of programming is so important to families in our community for lots of reasons! Finding friends who are at the same point in their life as you after having babies is a crucial piece of wellness postpartum. It’s important for moms to feel like they have other women to connect with, to rely on, and to feel safe with.
The programs are also a great place for little ones to learn how to be around other little ones too. It's the perfect way for moms to meet each other, for babies and tots to play, and for services in the community to reach their audience. I love Mommy Connections and truly believe that what I’m doing is a valuable part of the community.
There has been a real push for better postpartum services in our city and I definitely agree that getting out and connecting with other moms is an essential part of that support. Whether you've just had a baby or are making the transition to stay-at-home mom, Mommy Connections is a great way to get out of the house each week and meet other mamas.
This week was our make-and-take — something Jaclyn offers during every program so you have an opportunity to create something with your little one to keep. Our project was a wall hanging that we decorated with an assortment of materials. I used stickers to spell Rowyn's name and then let her fill in the rest. She chose markers, crayons, and more stickers, of course! It will adorn the wall in her playroom along with some of her other works of art.
This week was also our picture day — another staple for the sessions. Lauren Murphy from Serene Photography came out for a complimentary session which I think is such a great idea. Moms tend to be the picture takers so I welcome any opportunity to grab a photo with my daughter.
Our activity was originally scheduled to be outdoors but was moved to Amazing Adventure due to possible rain showers. They have a party room upstairs that was perfect for this and the kids got to climb on the indoor playground afterward. It was a packed afternoon of rainy-day fun!
If you're looking for something to do with your babe this fall, registration is now open! And if you missed an episode and want to get caught up, just click here!
I'm back with my third installment of the Mommy Connections Weekly, where we will be getting to know all about their programming as well as the mommy behind our Regina location, Jaclyn Roach. This week is about the challenges of growing a new business: something I'm sure all you Momtrepreneurs can relate to!
MC is still fairly new to Regina; how have you been successful in building the MC programs so far?
"In September I offered my first Mom & Baby Class and was (and still am) so grateful for the 10 moms who were willing to take a chance on me and participate in that first group."
On June 10 we celebrated 1 year of Mommy Connections Regina with a party at the Eastview Community Centre. I am so grateful to the moms who have joined my programs and given me their feedback and helped me make the programs better. They are still not perfect but I am growing and learning everyday as a business owner and I am so excited to see where the next year takes me.
Check back next week for another edition. Miss an article? Click here to catch up!
We are enrolled in the Mommy Connections Parent & Tot session this summer and this week we visited Pointflex Dance Company for a dance class. If you've never participated in a structured activity with your toddler, it is something best described as herding cats. Classes offered to this age group are generally short and require parent participation, and you'll leave feeling more exhausted and sweaty than your toddler. But we love trying these types of programs because it's how our wee one will build confidence to one day partake independently.
Our session was 30 minutes which left us with some time to visit at the end while the kiddies snacked. I think this was the most cooperative they were the whole session; it was just one of those days! Side note: I need a better camera for capturing moving toddlers — so many blurry limbs!
If you're not sure what would be a good fit for your little one, Mommy Connections is a great place to start. You get to try a variety of programs over the course of a session without the commitment. You can then register for something you and your child enjoyed or continue to use the à la carte offerings of MC!
Two weeks ago, I mentioned the awesome Parent & Tot group Rowyn and I joined through Mommy Connections here in Regina. I also mentioned the lovely director, Jaclyn Roach, the mama and superstar behind the organization of all the great programming available. I hadn't heard of Mommy Connections before this past year so I wanted to know how she came to head the Regina location. I decided to feature a bit about her and her business for the next five weeks so we can learn more about the programs, and the mama behind them, together!
How did you get started with MC?
During my year off, my husband and I found out we would be moving to Regina for his job and that we were expecting baby #2. We wanted me to be able to step away from my career (I am a high school English teacher) while we raised our babies but needed something that could give me the stimulation I needed outside of kids and something that could hopefully bring in some money to supplement my husband's income - it's too hard these days to live in a one-income household! I started looking around and came across the Mommy Connections website and they were looking for a director for Regina! I was so excited that I got on the application process immediately and within a few weeks was all set up to start Mommy Connections in Regina.
Next week we'll learn more about how she's grown her business this past year!
So what did we get up to this week? On Wednesday we had the opportunity to check out the STARS Air Ambulance hangar. We live near the airport and often see them flying overhead so Rowyn was thrilled for this tour.
Regina has two choppers that they use to respond to remote accidents and emergencies. Both were available for the kids to explore at their leisure. As excited as Rowyn was in the lobby, she was reluctant to climb aboard at first; by the end she was prepping the stretcher for a snooze. The paramedics, nurses, and pilots on site were all wonderful with the kids.
If you're currently on maternity leave, parental leave, or are a stay-at-home mama or dada, check out the fall programming now available through Mommy Connections. Jaclyn also loves supporting other momtrepreneurs, so send her a message if you want to collaborate with her to help get the word out about your products or services to more mamas!
I often see new and stay-at-home moms looking for suggestions on what to do to fill the long days of being at home with their little ones. Getting out of the house is imperative to me and my sanity so my daughter and I get out a lot. Like everyday. Even if it's just for a quick walk or to grab a few groceries. A change of scenery can do wonders on a toddler who has passed on her nap and appears in need of an exorcism.
We also participate in structured activities. It provides my daughter with that critical social interaction she misses out on at home with me and she learns new skills like following directions, taking turns, and participating in a group. I always have my eye out for new things to try, so when Jaclyn Roach of Mommy Connections Regina invited me to join their summer Parent & Tot group, I responded with an enthusiastic, "Shit yeah!"
For those who aren't familiar, Mommy Connections runs programming all over Canada for moms and babes/tots to introduce them to other local moms as well as programs, services, and activities geared toward their kid's age group. It's a great way to meet new mamas and try some new things with your littles. They are also offering dad and parent sessions this fall for those stay-at-home dads, too.
Our first session was held at Get Air, a place I had never been before. I was actually nervous to go after reading the recent stories circulating about it being unsafe for children under the age of 5. Rowyn is a cautious toddler — something I am occasionally grateful for — so we went to check it out and meet the other moms. I was pleasantly surprised by the setup. They have a separate toddler area called "Little Air" that has four small, vertical trampolines and two foam pits for their enjoyment. It also has a nice carpeted area all along the side for parents to sit and watch their kiddos. My toddler did end up doing a little jumping but she mostly threw foam blocks into the pit and sat on the trampoline for others to bounce her. I was a little relieved and I got to visit with the other gals without worrying.
We have five more sessions, all with different locations and activities for us to try. I will be blogging about our experience each week so you can get a feel for what Mommy Connections is all about. If you decide it's something you'd like to join, check out the website for all the new classes starting in September!
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