Being a first time mom to be, I am clueless about how to find a mom's group in my area and also in desperate need of guidance and advice. I'd love to find a group of supportive and progressive moms to discuss issues like childcare options or even how moms have managed to stay at home during these trying economic times. I would LOVE to stay home with my baby but can't fathom how to afford it on one income.
Thanks so much for the 3 responses to my cry for help. I've already checked out the website and am super ready to get involved. I'm looking forward to connecting with all you Petaluma moms!
The mothers club in Petaluma seems to be THE resource for playgroups, you can use their email list to find mamas with your m.o.... there are alot of options for child raising, and the club seems to have members from the most traditional of families, to families who do infant potty training (the wildest thing I can think of). Good luck, have fun, and good for you for looking beyond the birth!!!
D.
check out petaluma mothers club
http://www.petalumamothersclub.org/
There is Petaluma Mothers Club, http://www.petalumamothersclub.org/, which has a ton of great resources and playgroups.
There is also me, I am a single mom who has managed to live off of working just 20 hours a week. I am also progressive, but maybe beyond progressive. Sometimes too progressive for progressives, in fact radical. But if you want to talk I live on G Street and my daughter is almost 18 months.
Congratulations on your pregnancy and approaching motherhood. I support you in your quest to remain at home with your baby; I believe that infants and young children's needs are best met by remaining in their own homes being cared for primarily by their mother....the first five years of a child's life lay the foundation for the rest of his/her life. The young child has a great task before him/her: to discover the world in all its wonder! In these early years all the thinking processes, personality, and character are formed, so it is important to a child for a parent to be as present as possible.
With this in mind, I created a local "cottage industry" where I employ mothers to work in their own homes, sewing products that I design. It works well for some moms but it does require discipline and organization on their part to make a significant income. I am currently building this business (Mimsy Designs: http://mimsydesigns.com), but I also have started to develop a prototype of the business so that people in other areas of the country can develop this kind of cottage industry which supports mothers working part time at home so that they can contribute to the family income, yet be available when their children need them.
I hope that this helps to inspire you in some way to find a way to make that extra income and yet to be home and available for your precious child. Your child depends on YOU to be his/her guide in this earthly life. It is an awesome responsibility: you have another life in your hands. That you are considering ways to be there for your child shows that you are a special parent.
I'm going to go off on a tangent/ personal opinion/ now: when I was growing up, ALL moms stayed at home. My mom was at home for the three of us, and I feel that I was given a wonderful foundation for the rest of my life. Today, we women have the OPPORTUNITY to work, and it gives us freedom to have a CHOICE. So I feel that our society has made a lot of progress, and I am grateful for having a choice. When my daughter was born (23 years ago), I was happily employed as a teacher but when I held my tiny baby in my arms, everything melted away except for my devotion to her. I made a choice: my career could wait, all the extras could wait; what did we really need but to pay for the house and food? I was so in awe of my baby, this incredible being who came from ???, and so humbled by my responsibility to lead this child into earthly life, that my daily life actually became very simple...I guess I began to see the world through the eyes of my daughter, and then most of what was costing us money was easy to eliminate.
I feel blessed that I was able to give my daughter full time mothering, and I am committed to helping other mothers and children to have the same opportunity.
I wish you the best with your birth and in your life with your child. I sincerely hope that you can find a way to survive economically while being at home with your baby.
You need to join the Petaluma Mother's Club!! There are over 300 members, for $30 a year you get a monthly newsletter, be a part of the online chat room, they set you up with playdates, we have monthly socials, fall and spring carnivals etc...go Moms!! I've been a part of it for 4 years. My oldest is 6, I have a 4 year old boy and a 22 month little girl. It's been a blessing to be a part of this group. Go to the www.petalumamothersclub.org site for tons of information and how to join or call ###-###-#### and someone will return your call. Congradulations!!
