"Something happens when people share the "hard." It lessens the load...When you share the hard, it makes the silent of motherhood a lot less silent." - Cat and Nat
Motherhood can be incredibly difficult. As first time moms, we always expect this magical force to take over our bodies and our minds when our little person comes into the world. We imagine immediately loving them and knowing exactly what to do - immediately understanding their cues, their needs, and their wants. Unfortunately, however, for the vast majority of moms, this isn't the case. Motherhood can be incredibly challenging and mothers face so many uphill battles, we often find ourselves wondering why we wanted to do it in the first place.
Enter Mommy Connections.
Mommy Connections Ottawa is an Ottawa-based parenting group that focuses on the trials and issues new moms face every day. Mommy Connections offers multiple different programs geared towards educating, supporting, and uplifting mothers. Each week’s 90-minute Mom and Baby class offers expert information on topics that are relevant to moms-to-be, new moms, and moms with toddlers. Not only do these programs aim to make motherhood feel empowering rather than overwhelming, but it offers moms the chance to find a group of supportive, understanding women who can uplift and empower one another.
Recently, I had the chance to speak with Erin Girouard, co-owner and program director of the Ottawa Area Mommy Connections. On top of being a mother herself, Erin brings along a a range of fruitful experiences; although she lived in Ottawa for the majority of her life, a few years ago she and her husband packed up and moved to Indonesia where they built Grand Sunset Gili Air, a spectacular vacation resort in Gili Air. Additionally, her elder sister, Ashley, has lived in Uganda for many years and has two children herself. During her travels and in keeping in consistent communication with her sister, Erin has had the opportunity to experience distinct community values, an array of parental ideals, and diverse mommy and baby relationships; all of which add in her ability to support other mothers while offering an understanding of the diverse approaches to motherhood.
Initially, Erin had difficulty transitioning from being single to becoming a mother; she quickly realized that, although she had some amazing people in her life, without having a group of understanding and supportive mother-friends, motherhood could be rather lonely and isolating. Thankfully (for her), she wasn't the only one of her friends who had had an experience similar to hers. She was introduced to Mommy Connections by a close friend of hers, and as she got to know the program, she realized that, finally, she may be able to "find [her] tribe,” so she dove in head-first.
In speaking with Erin, I was able to learn a little bit more about what Mommy Connections means to her and her daughter, and also how it works as well as how it can help other moms who find themselves in the same position as Erin and countless other women.
Can you tell the readers a little bit about yourself?
My name is Erin Girouard, and I have an 11-month old daughter named Finley. My best friend and business partner, Alex McDonald, has a daughter as well. Together, we run the Ottawa-area Mommy Connections; I facilitate the programs in the Kanata and Barrhaven area while Alex facilitates the programs in the Orleans and Glebe areas.
How old was Finley when you decided to join Mommy Connections?
She was 3 months old. I participated in a Mom-and-Baby class.
Before you became professionally affiliated with Mommy Connections, you joined the classes as a participant . From a mother's point of view, can you explain what Mommy Connections is and how it can help other mothers?
Mommy Connections is an organization that connects new moms living in the same community to one another and to the programs, products and services available to them in their area. Each week Mommy Connections features a different expert to give a talk or demonstration on a relevant mom/baby/wellness program available within the community that can help increase a mother’s education and confidence. It's also an amazing place to go to meet other mothers who may be going through the same struggles they are.
How did you find out about Mommy Connections?
It was through a friend of mine who joined the program with her daughter.
Why did you ultimately choose to participate in a Mommy Connections class?
“I joined because after giving birth to my daughter, I was feeling incredibly lonely and isolated. I had very high expectations on what maternity leave would be like, and it wasn’t living up to this ideal that I had created in my mind. I had no mom friends on mat leave and I was having a hard time meeting women in the workout group I had joined. I was also anxious as a new mother and the idea of hearing a different presenter each week was really appealing. I wanted to learn as much about being a mom as I could[sic]”
What did you get from Mommy Connections as a participant?
In doing some of the classes, I think the most valuable thing I gained were the many friendships I created. I originally joined in order to gain information and confidence as a mother; I had never anticipated that I would create so many friendships with so many amazing women whom I am now able to call best friends.
Besides connecting with other moms, what is your favourite program or activity that Mommy Connections offers (from an attendant’s perspective)?
“Besides connecting with other mothers, my favourite component has been the sharing circle that each weeks’ program starts with. We go over the highs and lows of our week. As new moms we often have very high highs and very low lows, so it’s a great chance to share your struggles and victories with women who ‘get it’[sic]”
Does it cost money to participate in Mommy Connections? If so, what are the benefits of paying?
Like any other private or city-run program, there is a fee associated. However, the benefits of registering for one of these programs far outweigh the small fee. Benefits like: Listening to an hour of incredibly valuable information that you may have otherwise not been able to hear, connecting with other mothers, allowing your children to socialize in a safe and clean environment, and having a safe place to go to share your discouragement, as well as your triumphs, with other women. And as an added bonus, upon joining moms receive a swag bag full of goodies, as well as a free photo shoot with Jessica Angel Photography. But there is so much to gain from this program that it will more than pay for itself.
If there was one thing you gained from Mommy Connections that you don’t think you would have been able to gain without it, what would it be?
Connecting with other moms and developing these amazing new friendships. I also reconnected with a friend from my past who is now my biggest support. In fact, there is a group of 6 of us who support and encourage each other and are doing this mother thing together. It’s amazing to have a group of supportive women who also happen to have babies the same age. We get to go through it all together.
How has Mommy Connections helped your child?
Joining the program introduced me to so many different professionals who I never would have otherwise had the chance to meet. Sleep consultants, pediatric physiotherapists, infant massage specialists, Speech Language Pathologists – all of whom can teach you to spot potential issues you may have otherwise not been knowledgeable enough to be able to spot. Also, moms are connected with other programs that support and encourage bonding through creativity, such as Kindermusik, Mom and Baby dance instructors, etc.
Do you find that being a part of Mommy Connections gave you a better connection with your own child?
Mommy Connections has strengthened my knowledge of infant development, made me feel more confident as a mom and strengthened our bond with each other; which I think is pretty awesome for her.
Seeing as how you are now professionally affiliated with Mommy Connections, you obviously really loved participating in these classes – could you tell me what lead to you wanting to be involved professionally?
Alex was the facilitator/director of the class that I joined last May, and through her guidance, amazing discussion topics, warm demeanor and the welcoming environment she created, my maternity leave was completely transformed. She created a safe space for moms to come and share their triumphs, struggles, laughter and tears. I knew that I wanted to try and give back to moms the way she gave back to me. Coupled with the fact that I’d be allowed to bring Finley to work with me, it seemed like the perfect job! So when there was the opportunity for expansion, Alex was kind enough to bring me on. I model my classes very similarly to the way she runs hers and I’m still learning so much from her every day.
According to the website, Mommy Connections has many programs for moms-to-be, mom-and-baby, and mom-and-tot and the website explains what the programs are designed to do, but what exactly do these programs offer? Specifically, what are some examples of what happens in these programs?
Mom-to-be: This is a one day workshops for expectant couples. The workshop features presentations from The Ottawa Valley Doulas, Anna Belanger Massage Therapy and discussions on how to remain connected as a couple after baby arrives.
Mom-and-baby: Is a once a week program where you meet the same moms, week after week for 8 weeks. Each class features a different presentation from someone in a mom/baby relevant field. Examples of presentations include: mom and baby yoga, sleep consultants, self-care experts, pelvic floor physiotherapists, occupational therapists and sleep language pathologists.
Mom-and-tot: Traveling Tot is a field trip based program that features a different activity each week. Outings include: martial arts, sport ball, art, Kindermusik and Salsa Tots.
Does Mommy Connections offer moms in the community special educational programs (ie: breastfeeding clinics, CPR courses…)?
Yes. We host different special events and workshops every month throughout the city.
Workshops include: Breastfeeding Cafes, Anxiety in Parenting Tea and Working With Your Child’s School: Setting Your Child Up For Success.
We have two workshops coming up in February:
Feeding Solids, hosted at ProCare Family Centre on Feb 20th at 7:00 pm in collaboration with Krista Simmons, SLP of Achieve Therapy.
Behaviour 101 with Success in Steps. It takes places at Buy Buy Baby Ottawa on February 25th at 11:00 am.
In terms of the website, why does each location/city have a different website? Why is it important for moms to be certain they are looking at their specific city’s website?
Mommy Connections operates in 36 territories throughout Canada. Although we are under the same umbrella as one another and feature the same class names, Alex and I operate our classes differently from other directors. It’s important for moms to choose the program in their specific city because all of our programs run at different times and feature different structure and presentations. Additionally, each city hosts different types of workshops, so you want to make sure you're registering for the correct one.
Besides the classes and programs, what other things do you offer (ie: product/service suggestions?)
Alex and I are very big on promoting, supporting and encouraging women run, local businesses.
As a whole, what is your most valued thing about Mommy Connections?
My most valued thing about Mommy Connections is having the opportunity to spend time in the presence of so many incredible women. These women trust us enough to join our space and share so much of what they’re going through and we’re lucky to have the chance to introduce them to some really amazing people who can make their lives a whole lot easier. The moms I’ve met have made me a stronger, better mother and I’m lucky to now be able to call so many of them my friends.
And, Erin, if moms reading this would be interested in learning more or registering for one of your classes and/or workshops, how can they get in touch with you?
Anyone looking for general information can check us out on our website at mommyconnections.ca/Ottawa or on our Facebook page.
Or for registration information, moms can contact the program director in their division:
Barrhaven and Kanata: ering@mommyconnections.ca
Orleans and The Glebe: alexm@mommyconnections.ca
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I hadn’t heard about Mommy Connections until I saw it pop on my Facebook newsfeed a few months ago, but in speaking with Erin and in learning about this program, I really wish I had known about this when my son was that young. Since I only had the one child, I was always looking for new, creative outings and ways to introduce him to other children and other environments, and so I would have jumped at the chance to join one of the mom-and-tot programs. It is a shame I hadn’t known about this before as I’m sure it really could have helped my post-partum depression, my isolation, and my loneliness that I know all new moms feel at one time or another, and that’s why I wanted to speak with Erin and write this article. I want other moms out there who feel lonely, scared, or just plain unsure, and/or mom-to-be who are terrified of the loneliness and isolation her mom friends have talked about to know that there is a place she can go and people she can talk to that can make this time of her life easier. No matter what anyone says, being a mother is one of the hardest things you will ever have to do and there really is no reason why any mother should have to do it alone; and luckily, with Mommy Connections, you don’t have to!
If you would like to get more information on any of the Mommy Connections programs, contact Alex McDonald or Erin Girouard here.
Or join the Mommy Connections Community on their Facebook page.
Also, subscribe to The Pensive Mama newsletter and get, not only up to date information regarding programs such as these, but possible giveaways for Mommy Connections trial classes, and other amazing prizes!
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