momstown: A Prescription for Mother's Health

This is amazing news to share.  Not just because I am the owner of a momstown chapter, but because helping women feel supported and empowered through motherhood is essential. I hope that this information leads more moms to momstown so that they don't just survive but thrive in motherhood.


The University of Waterloo conducted an independent study on momstown and found the following key findings.

1. momstown is a community builder
2. momstown facilitates matchmaking.  Mamas need help making friends too.
3. momstown provides needed support beyond the 1st baby shower. Second and third time moms are at a greater risk of isolation and postpartum depression.
4. momstown provides mental health support

Wow.  The first point is not that surprising, but the other three are key in understanding how momstown is more than moms just getting together. momstown's unique blend of online and in person interaction is key to providing the type of support that moms need.

FACT:  momstown improves mothers' mental health.

“momstown.ca had a significant impact on the mothers’ mental health, thereby suggesting women should receive “a prescription for friendship and fun” when they become mothers. The current research suggests social and community-based treatments for women with post-partum depression.”

FACT:  moms at risk of postpartum depression need peer to peer support

“20% of the (momstown members) women discussed formal diagnosis of PPD, while many others discussed self-diagnosis and negative emotions throughout the early experiences of motherhood. While a number of the women in the current study sought out professional help, they did not want to medicate nor did they “want to sit in a room with other mothers complaining about PPD.” Rather, they recognized the need for peer support from other moms in a similar situation.”

Both of those quotes are from the study, Cyber Mummies, Healthy Mummies: The Roles of Online Social Networking Sites in Mothers’ Health by Diana Parry, PhD, Caitlin Mulcahy and Troy Glover, PhD - University of Waterloo.

Once the study was complete, the researchers admitted to being surprised by what they found.  "We did not anticipate the responses being so overwhelmingly positive.  Previous research had indicated mothers groups could be sites for negative experiences for mothers, but participants in this study revealed very positive experiences with momstown.ca."  

We are working hard to get all this information out to moms everywhere! Thank you to the media who have helped us get the word out about how momstown can help.  Stay tuned for more links to media coverage.

Do you have story to share about how momstown has helped you?  We'd love to hear it!

momstown Oakville's Belly Trials

There has never been a better time to join momstown Oakville - check out our recent exciting news!

Here's how you join us:

Visit our website to register.  When asked "How did you hear about us?", enter "BellyPromo".  That's it!  You will then receive an email confirming your registration.

Take this opportunity to build your support network before your baby arrives and connect with other moms in your community.

If you have any questions, please email us!  We look forward to meeting you.

Art & Play: Sensory Fun!

momstown educational curriculum changes monthly. We learn and play each month based on the theme! Our theme for March was "my senses"! This has been a great month for our kids, and learning about senses involves so many great activities! We had a great morning at Dazzle Art.


Today at art & play, we let the kids do some exploring and creating on their own with some great material that were fun for our sense of touch! We had foam, cotton balls, pom poms, glitter, pipe cleaners and glue. The kids had a great time touching all the items, rolling them around in their little fingers and playing with them before deciding how to add them to their art. It was amazing as a parent to watch the imagination flow. I loved asking them about their project when they were done. We had someone who created a park, an animal, and a rainbow! The kids enjoyed the freedom to think about and create anything they wanted, and we loved to let them be creative while learning at the same time!



To learn more about other great sensory crafts you can do at home with your kids, check out momstown arts & crafts.
March is almost over, but we will have a whole new group of crafts and activities organized for April! To join us, register for a FREE 4 week trial.

How to choose sunscreen for kids

Hard to believe that sunscreen is already the topic of conversation on our message boards - it's not even the end of March!  Choosing a sunscreen for your kids can be tough, there are so many choices.  And when you look at a product label its hard to decipher was ingredients are required and what other additives have been included to enhance the product.  Whether you are after the most natural product around, the one that doesn't leave you feeling greasy or the best waterproof product, here are some tips to help you navigate your options.

• Look for a sunscreen that says Broad Spectrum on the label.  That means it protects agains UVA and UVB rays.
• Children should wear an SPF level of at least 15.
• Sunscreen or sunblock with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide will provide the highest level of protection for delicate areas such as cheeks, nose and ears

That last point reminds me to ask, do you know the difference between sunblock and sunscreen?

Sunblock does not allow the UV rays to penetrate the skin, it blocks them completely.  Whereas sunscreen absorbs some of the rays which is why you need to reapply often, as sunscreen breaks down after awhile.

Don't forget that sunscreen or sunblock is not the only defence against the sun.  Be sure to stock up on hats and glasses (if your kids will wear them!) as well, we always seem to lose at least one over the course of the summer.  My kids both sport the UV suits in the water too, I find they are great for transitioning into beach play.

My son's first lake swim - much too cold for his liking!

For more information about sunscreen, you can visit Healthy Children, Safe Mama, or EWG's Skin Deep.

How Do Dinosaurs Eat Cookies?

Scholastic Canada provides momstown Oakville with a book to share each month. We read and enjoy the book at Tales for Tots, and one of our moms takes the book home to keep and enjoy with the family!


Our book this month was called "How Do Dinosaurs Eat Cookies?" This caught everyone's attention - as we had a room full of Dinosaur and Cookie enthusiasts! This book goes along with our momstown education curriculum for March "our senses". The book was a "scratch and sniff".
This was a first experience for our little ones, but they caught on quickly, and were enjoying the smells of cinnamon and lemon very quickly!


We have a raffle, and give the book away at the end - so one of our friends can enjoy the book over and over again at home! momstown Oakville reads and shares a book every month at Tales for Tots! If you are interested in joining us for our next event, register for a free 4 week trial! We have some great books from Scholastic Canada for the summer months!

My Senses!

"My Senses" was the theme this month for our momstown educational curriculum. What a great theme to get the kids involved in fun and learning! We explored so many different ways this month through crafts, Junior Chef, snack, and today at our event at The Little Gym, we explored with playdough!



For some of our younger kids, this was their first experience, and they had a great time.


We also brought along our usual fisher-price toys for everyone to share and enjoy.


This event is a great opportunity for the kids to explore, and learn to socialize with others. It's also a perfect opportunity for our moms to catch up with each other, and get to know one another. We will be learning about "our senses" at our events, until the end of March - we hope you'll join us. For a free 4 week trial, register with momstown Oakville.

music and movement with Suzy Sunshine!

Kids LOVE music!


And this momstown Oakville event with Suzy Sunshine is a popular one for kids of all ages.Hosted by Canlan Ice Sports, we had infants right up to pre-schoolers, and everyone was having fun!

Our kids get a chance to learn some rhythm, rhymes and a few new songs. We sing familiar ones too! Suzy Sunshine is so great at getting all the kids interacting, communicating, and joining in the fun.

We broke out the shakers and the scarves.
We even had story time (in song format!).


Hope to see another great group of moms out at our next event with Suzy Sunshine.



If you'd like to join momstown for our next great event, please register for a FREE 4 week trial. Suzy Sunshine also teaches music classes in her own studio. For information about her classes, please visit her website.

Have you put spring into your closet yet?

I was getting a pedicure the other day (thank you birthday gift card!) and the esthetician was asking me how often I use a loofah on my feet, how often I exfoliate my face, etc.  In the nicest way possible, I stopped her and explained that with two young kids I think having a shower and putting lotion on aftewards is considered a big victory!  I would love to spend more time taking care of myself and I know I will get there again eventually, but not right now.

However, making yourself feel good is essential.  Everyone needs to recharge their battery and enjoy a few treats every now and then.  With all of this beautiful weather, it has me wanting to break out my spring coats and dresses!  Since I had just had a my daughter last spring, my wardrobe is pretty sad for spring this year.  I can't rely on my stretchy pants and t-shirts for 2012!  It's time to upgrade.

I know some people that seem to be able to look good all the time.  You know the ones.  It seems that no matter what they put on or even if they only had 5 minutes, they still look put together.  It's a gift they seem to have.  I have a few of those people in my life and while I don't think I'll ever be one of them, at least I can look to them for inspiration!

Here are a few ways to spruce up your wardrobe for spring, according to those who seem to know about these types of things. 

• Add a pop of the new hot spring colours - anything Citrus, Tangerine is the colour of the season!
• Coloured denim
• If you need a new bag, white is the new black
• Polka dots!  This lovely pattern is back.  I thing the fashion from shows like Pan Am and Mad Men have something to do with that.
• Stripes are also very popular for spring this year.

The fact that polka dots and stripes are in is a great trend for moms.  I find food stains or body fluids left behind are harder to see when there is a lovely pattern to look at! 

When the malls quiet down after March Break, I will hit the stores to see if I can pick up a few things to add to my wardrobe.  Will you be adding to your wardrobe this season?

Irish for the Day!

momstown Oakville is always ready for some fun! We celebrated St. Patrick's Day today, and had a great time!

Our moms and kids came all dressed up in green.


We had lots of toys, for our kids of all ages.






We made rainbows with pots of gold - all made out of Kellogg's cereal. There may have been some tasting.
Snack time was filled with some yummy green treats!


and we tried to get a group shot! A little difficult with this many kids.


Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with us!

We are celebrating Easter next! If you'd like to join us for our next party or event, give us a try with a 4 week free trial.

momstown Oakville Annual Easter Egg Hunt

**Please note this event is FULL**


We are getting very excited for our annual Easter Egg hunt! This popular event is always lots of fun. This year we are opening it up to non-members as well.

Be sure to bring your camera and capture your little Easter bunnies!  And don't forget your Easter Baskets!

Date: Saturday, April 7th

Time: 10:00AM - 11:30AM (You can start anytime between 10 and 11 AM)

Location: Brook Valley Park, South entrance off of Wynchgate Street (Oakville)

*This event is weather dependent.

How to Register:

If you are a momstown Oakville member, please sign up through the event posting on the calendar. If you are not a member, please contact us to register and let us know the ages of your children and if you need peanut free treats.  Registration closes on Friday, March 30th.

**Please note this event is FULL - Thank you for your interest!**

To learn about other events - be sure to subscribe to our monthly newsletter

Junior Chef: Polar Bear Sandwiches!

Our kids were really excited for the Junior Chef program that Sherri from Circle Time Parties organized for momstown Oakville today!

Our menu included creating and eating your very own polar bear sandwich, as well as lots of fun and learning about our 5 senses. Of course no morning with Sherri is complete without an incredible circle time which includes dancing, singing, and learning!

Our kids got busy first with their sandwiches, creating their very own polar bear. The kids got to pick their own filling to make it taste just the way they wanted!


We also had some small cups with different drinks. The kids had a blast tasting the difference between bitter, sweet and sour!




Finally on the movement part of the morning! We had a big crowd today, and the room was shaking! We danced, sang, played with scarves and bubbles, and finally ended off a perfect morning with a story time.



Thank you Sherri from Circle Time Parties for hosting us! We always have such a great time.
Sherri hosts regular Junior Chef programs for momstown Oakville. If you are interested in joining us for some kitchen fun, register for a FREE 4 week trial!

Muffins!

momstown Oakville hosted our first muffin exchange and what a great success! Our moms were busy baking a huge assortment of muffins, both regular size and mini muffins.

This is such a great idea for stocking your freezer with healthy options.

Our moms arrived with their muffins and "exchanged" for so many varieties. Everyone went home with new muffins and some great recipes.

Our moms are always looking for a great excuse for a night out, so we planned this event in the evening as "moms night out". We enjoyed drinks, sampled some muffins, and had some great conversation!

Our next "mama meals" event is a Big Cook where we will be exchanging fully prepared freezer meals. What a perfect option for a busy night when you don't have time to cook. Want to join us for our next "moms night out"? momstown Oakville offers a FREE 4 week trial membership. You can check out what all the fun is about, come out and meet us at an event, and get to know us a little better on the message board. For information about a trial members, register now!

Getting back in the game

One of my favourite smells is the smell of a hockey arena.  It's the smell of the ice that puts a smile on my face every time.  I grew up in Northern Ontario where outdoor skating and skating programs and activities were very popular.  My parents registered me into ringette when I was about 6 years old and I played every winter for the next 7 years.

When I got to high school, my school had a girls hockey team but not a ringette team. Interested in getting the ice time and wanting to play for a school team I decided to try out. I think I was hooked the minute the puck hit my stick blade for the first time!  I was thrilled to make the team and then spent the next 5 years playing on three hockey teams each winter and spring.  I loved the team dynamics, I loved the friends I made (many whom I am still close with to this day) and I thrived under the leadership provided by the coaches I had.

That's me in the white helmet taking the face off.  I scanned this photo from my high school year book!

Then I went off to university and I didn't play for the next four years.  I missed it, but the excitement of student life kept me occupied and I was having way too much fun to notice.  I moved to Calgary after university and didn't end up playing there either.  I never shipped my equipment out west and wasn't really in financial position to buy new stuff.

When I moved back to Ontario I finally got back into hockey and my love for the game was quickly rekindled.  My friends even incorporated skating into my bachelorette party, complete with a veil on my helmet and a jersey with my husband to be's face on the front!

And then I started having kids.  And it's been another four year hiatus.

So here I am again, getting antsy to lace up my skates and pass the puck.  I can't think of a better way to relieve some stress, get a good workout and get some me time!

I've started to research my options here in Oakville and was impressed with what Canlan Ice Sports had to offer.  Their leagues are offered through the Adult Safe Hockey Network. Not only do they offer a women's league and adult power skating and hockey skills, but they also offer a ladies specific beginner hockey skills for anyone looking to get into the sport and ladies intermediate power skating and hockey skills.  This might just be the perfect thing to get the rust off my blades and the lead out of my legs!

The next season starts on April 23rd.  What do you think, should I lace up my skates? Who's ready to join me?

Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast!

What did you have for breakfast this morning? Our momstown mamas and children started their day off right with a bowl of Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal at the Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast event in support of National Breakfast Day.


This event was created to help promote the necessity of a healthy breakfast for all children.

In Canada, 1 in 10 children live in poverty, and are at risk of starting their day on an empty stomach. This event helps to raise awareness within the Halton community.
Momstown Milton hosted the event at Scribble N' Splatter, and all our moms and kids came out for some fun! This was a "pay it forward" event, and all moms were invited to take breakfast kits to pass along to friends and family within the community to help spread the word.


Our moms and kids came out for a great morning, of songs, crafts, and cereal - but also left with an important message. Creating awareness with Kellogg's Share Your Breakfast is the first step to ending hunger in your community and helping all children start the day off right!

What a week!

It's been a busy and incredibly fun week for our momstown Oakville members. Not sure if it's the promise of spring weather (although we didn't really have a winter, did we?) but we've been out in full force!  Here's a look at some of the things we had going on.

MONDAY - We started the week with our monthly Art & Play program. This event is great for all ages and is often one of the first events new members attend. Kids can either climb and play on the toys and equipment at Dazzle or participate in our themed craft - or most actually do both!



After the kids were in bed, our mamas got together for our monthly book club. The book this time was The Birth House. Next month we'll be talking about The Secret Daughter.

TUESDAY - A Rubber Duckie swim and a playgroup were on tap for Tuesday morning. Our new members were welcomed with a Mama Meet and Greet event in the evening. We had great conversation over delicious treats! Conversation ranged from basic "get to know you" chit chat to stories about celebrity sightings, child care options and recommendations, the importance of girls nights out and much more! Welcome to our new members that came out!

WEDNESDAY - We had a fabulous guest speaker at our Baby Basics weekly group. Read more about what we learned with regards to finding quality child care in Oakville here.

THURSDAY - The weather mostly co-operated for our Sip n' Stroll event and we had lots of mama's out for a coffee and some exercise. As we move into spring, we'll have to add a reminder to put on the sunscreen!

FRIDAY - Discovery Field Trip! We headed to Royal Botanical Gardens in Burlington for the Chocolate Exhibit. While my son was interested in how chocolate was made, he was also quite taken with the koi fish that he could get up close and personal with!




The little ones LOVED this larger than life box of chocolates. Okay...maybe the mom's were pretty impressed with it too! It was very hard to not eat chocolate after our visit today, so I decided I'd better stick with the theme and indulge.



Wondering what's coming up next week?  Check our calendar, we got lots of things lined up including The Baby Steps Fair (we are a proud sponsor!) which is taking place on Sunday, March 11th.  Our members get a $2 discount on admission.

There is no better time to join momstown Oakville! We've got a jam packed month ahead and we're offering a FREE 4 week trial. What are you waiting for? See you around the neighbourhood!

Finding Quality Child Care in Oakville

On Wednesday we had a representative from The Halton Resource Connection come and speak at our Baby Basics program about finding quality childcare.  Whether you are looking for full time or part time care, the information she provided to us was extremely helpful so I wanted to try and summarize some key points to share.


We received a handbook called "A Parents' Guide to Quality Child Care" which has a ton of valuable information in it.  It covers things like the differences between child care centres, licensed home care providers and independent home care providers.  It also provides lists of questions to ask when you are seeking child care.  There is also a section on the Quality First program which is a development model for quality improvement in child care centres.  Does your child care centre participate in the program?

We talked about the three types of programming philosophies that are used in different centres or home daycares.

Reggio Emilia
High Scope
Montessori

Deciding what programming is right for your child is completely up to you and all of them are great learning tools for children.

We also discussed the need for your child care provider to provide you with their policies and procedures guide (yes, even in an independent home care setting!) which should include things like their approach to discipline, illness policy, payment policy and their hours of operation.

Once you've selected child care, it's important to build a relationship with those people caring for your child. Clarify your expectations, share information, discuss your concerns and maintain the partnership.

The Halton Resource Connection can assist you in doing a search for appropriate childcare and are also happy to speak with you over the phone to further provide support.

I really like the daycare that my son has been attending.  I find they are open with communication, I can see that they are really invested in his well being and show lots of support and affection.  It's still hard to leave him there sometimes (he's been there for almost 2 years!) but I feel good in the choice we made for his child care.

It's a really tough decision to make and can be really stressful on both parents and kids in the beginning.  But most kids adjust to child care pretty quickly and you will soon have a fridge covered in art work they bring home and hear the names of new friends that they are excited to see.

Whatever you choose, as long as you are comfortable with it, then it's the right decision for your family!

momstown Oakville is more!

Our monthly newsletter went out today with some exciting news about momstown! We're proud to introduce our 6 Program Pillars which will help us continue to deliver mama support and fun while still focusing on the whole child, the complete family and early education.

While we love our playgroups, we also want to shout from the rooftops that we are so much MORE than that. The latest momstown moments blog really explains it very well, but in a nutshell, in addition to all the things you love about us, we've committed to bringing you more consistency and focus in our programming based on our 6 Program Pillars and through our top 10 events.

We are so excited to bring our mama's even MORE for the same membership price. Just $45 a year!  Join now for a FREE 4 week trial and see what all the excitement is about!