Welcome to the Mothers Central Blog. We currently put a new post up every Thursday! If you enjoy our blog, be sure to subscribe via email, share your comments, and check out our MC Voices Page . Thanks for visiting!
On Wednesday, November 13th the National Association of Mothers’ Centers will be hosting a webinar entitled: Connect with your Family… One Meal at a Time presented by John Sarrouf, director of The Family Dinner Project. To help highlight the event we are sharing a family dinner story from Grace—a social worker and Family Dinner Project workshop leader.
I interviewed for my position at The Family Dinner Project in early August of last year. One part of the interview process fell during my family’s annual trip to Garden City, South Carolina; a trek my father has been making with his parents, sister and brother since he was a child.
The night before the interview, I sat down to our family dinner with three generations of my family. I had been a ball of nervous energy all day, yet during dinner I breathed a sigh of relief…
If there’s one thing my family is good at, it’s dinner.
Now, before you get that Norman Rockwell picture stuck in your head, I would never say my family is perfect at the table.
- We’re loud
- We argue about religion and politics
- We have a tendency toward sarcasm
- And we we certainly run the full gamut of picky-eaters: from severe allergies to strong preferences, to a vegetarian, a pescetarian, and one I (lovingly) call our “starch-atarian”
I bet if you asked any of my family members what makes us good at family dinner, you’d hear a different answer from each of us.
To me though, the reason we’re good at family dinners is simple: [click to continue reading…]
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Every family, every parent, every mother has different experiences, different career aspirations and different ways in which they prioritize their time.
To help recognize and commend these differences, we are highlighting the lives of mothers in the workforce by asking our members questions exploring:
- What led them to stay active in their careers
- What support they utilize to help them navigate their way
- How this has impacted their mothering experiences
Last month we highlighted Kate Mahoney, a full-time faculty member teaching graphic design to college students. Today we are highlighting Melani Denzer—also a member of the Mothers’ Center of Southwest Nassau who is currently an HR consultant. Melani and her husband Patrick raise three children—Harrison (age 4), Aric (age 2) and a 4-month-old foster daughter, Christina.
[click to continue reading…]
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How often do you find yourself surrounded by others that are just like you?
When I first joined my Mothers’ Center Group I was looking to find friendships with other moms.
WAIT.
That’s not exactly true.
If I were being completely honest (and maybe a little more specific) I was looking for… [click to continue reading…]
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As mothers we have the power to change attitudes and outcomes by advocating for policies that promote family economic security and the well-being of family caregivers.
Today we welcome NAMC Advocacy Coordinator Valerie Young back to the Mothers Central Blog. Valerie is at the forefront of helping to make this attitude change happen… one angry, frustrated mother at a time…
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Mother on the Edge
By Valery Young
It was a desperate cry for help, and one that I could not ignore.
It came via email, at the end of the summer, from a total stranger. (At least, she was a stranger to me, but my work was known to her because she’d been reading it on social media.) Already the mother of a 2 year old, and pregnant again with a due date of this December the email began: [click to continue reading…]
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We inadvertently become researchers of life and motherhood when we study our own as well as other mothers’ experiences and journeys.
This is the concept behind our monthly Faces of Mothers’ Center series featuring interviews with different Mothers’ Center Members across the nation.
Today we are thrilled to introduce you to Tonia Davies, a member of the Mothers’ Center of Greater Toledo in Ohio. Tonia first heard about Mothers’ Center after the birth of her son Blake, however it wasn’t until after her 2nd son Cael was born that she began participating in the group.
Without further ado, let’s meet Tonia.
[click to continue reading…]
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What parenting “shoulds” have recently made your list?
Maybe you’ve found yourself contemplating how you should be …
- Calmer and more loving
- Better disciplined and patient
- Stronger and wiser and wa-aaaa-ay more in control of your emotions
Regardless of what your own “should-list” looks like, one thing remains constant:
It can sometimes be hard to stop the persistent, critical thinking and re-focus one’s thoughts on what we are doing well.
And parents, let it be known, we are doing some things well. Each and every one of us. Many times (in my own personal experience), we just don’t give ourselves enough credit.
I find it’s way easier to spotlight my own parenting disappointments and imperfections, than to give focus and attention to all I’ve actually accomplished. I truly am my own worst critic, and when “the inner critic” gives a bad review the good can all-too-easily get overpowered and lost.
The simple facts for parents to remember are: [click to continue reading…]
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Often times the work we do as parents feels undervalued and thankless. In fact, personally, sometimes it feels like all I ever hear are complaints from my tiny, tough critics (otherwise known as: my own kids.)
Recently I made a personal commitment to telling others (especially other parents) “Thank You” more often.
In reality, saying thank you has always been a goal, however I can pinpoint the exact moment that truly inspired me to begin saying thanks more routinely. It started one morning two years ago when I received a Thank You note in the mail.
The actual note itself was short and uncomplicated. It most likely took the writer no more than 5 minutes to conjure up and toss in the mail. However, it made a big impact on me because it: [click to continue reading…]
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I continue to learn from my parenting and life experiences every year, in hopes of pocketing my wisdom to share with my own children.
Today’s guest—Linda Juergens—is doing just that on Mothers Central. She is offering her collected knowledge to her own grandchildren.
Linda recently retired after working 26 years for the NAMC (including 13 years spent as our organization’s Executive Director). However, Linda’s connection to Mothers’ Centers goes back to 1978 when her oldest child was only 9 months old. As an original member of her own Mothers’ Center Group she took on various leadership rolls including facilitation, coordination and fundraising efforts.
Though Linda is now officially retired and enjoying life with her husband of nearly 40 years, she took the time to return momentarily through the Mothers Central Blog to share a letter she wrote to her 4 grandchildren.
We are so pleased to be able to share that letter with you now.
To my grandchildren,
My most amazing memories are the days/nights each of you were born. You were so tiny and fragile and opened up a whole new experience for me as a grandma. [click to continue reading…]
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Photo courtesy of © Dreamstime Agency | Dreamstime Stock Photos
Have you ever felt forced into volunteering your time out of fear, guilt or pressure?
I have.
In fact, not too long ago I chose to step down from a leadership role in an organization I had spent years donating my time and energy towards.
Why? The truth is I was drained from feeling unsupported and guilty if an event I contributed to didn’t go as hoped. Additionally, I was often completing tasks without support, taking on responsibility out of pressure (that nobody else would do it) and in constant fear of upsetting others (because of not doing something right).
Feeling under-appreciated and forced into something (it seems) does not work well at keeping me involved in an organization for the long haul because… [click to continue reading…]
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The other day after concluding a presentation to a large group of mothers, an acquaintance came up to tell me what a great job I did.
Just before walking away she added:
“I don’t know how you do it all—between raising three kids, your responsibilities as an NAMC Staff member and adjunct college instructor, and then also finding time to put this amazing presentation together.”
The thing is… I see myself as no different than this mom (who also happens to have three children and works outside the home). In fact, I often wonder how she manages all the things on her plate.
In general, I think many parents look at each other and ask this same question:
How DO they do it?
(And even sometimes, WHY do they do it?!)
The reality is: Every family, every parent, every mother has different experiences, different career aspirations, different ways in which they prioritize their time.
Today we are excited to introduce you to a new interview series meant to highlight the lives of mothers in the workforce. We will ask questions exploring what led these mothers to stay active in their careers, what support they utilize to help them navigate their way, and how this has impacted their mothering experiences.
For our first Work/Life interview, lets meet Kate Mahoney—a member of the Mothers’ Center of Southwest Nassau who is currently a graphic design instructor at a college in upstate New York.
[click to continue reading…]
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