Submitted by Ginny on 1/6/10
When my 2 children were newborn and 22 months old respectively, I faced a challenging time. I am sure everyone feels challenged with children, especially newborns! But I felt like I was in survival mode. It was January and a record-snowy winter. My husband’s work hours meant that I was on my own A LOT, my friends were all working, and we weren’t in a financial position to be enrolling in Gymboree-type programs. I felt a little helpless, and couldn’t understand what had happened to the once-competent business owner that I once was. Then I looked around at all the people who had children, and wondered how they survived. I decided that no matter how supermom you are, or not, the sun comes up tomorrow and your kids are one day older. I knew my kids would be fine, I just needed to support my mind! With that I decided not to wallow any longer, packed my kids up for the park and set out. Over the next few weeks of park visits, I sought out other women who were in similar, or sometimes even very different situations. The two things we had in common were our geography and our kids. I started a rotating playgroup/coffeetime which cost nothing but a pot of coffee and some animal crackers when it was your turn to host. Nobody looked at the dustbunnies on your floor when they visited, we just chatted and supported and comiserated and celebrated. It took some guts to approach and propose my idea to this group of women, but I can safely say that this group got me through the darkest months of that winter and beyond with less ‘survival’ and a lot more smiles.
Submitted by Ginny on 1/6/10
RELATED POSTS:
Thanks for sharing Ginny. I relate so well. I moved within 2 months of birth of my first 3 kids and only once to a city i knew anyone. I recall feeling lonely and isolated and in desperate need of friends to pass the time with. While i never started a playgroup like you, I did join a few and spent many hours at playgrounds trying to 'pick up' fellow young mums to hang out with. So hats off to you for being so proactive and gutsy. I am sure every one of those women were very thankful for your courage and initiative. And yes, so true, even the tough times pass and the sunshine will always come again. Sometimes you just have to get through one day at a time!