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Assistant Managing Editor SPRINGFIELD Thirty-three years ago a group of mothers in Hicksville, N.Y., opened the first-ever Mothers' Center, a place where mothers could go to get information, receive support and participate in advocacy programs hosted for and by other mothers. Three local mothers have taken on the challenge of starting one in the Pioneer Valley, Mothers' Center Circle of Hampden County, and they are hoping other moms will come on board to make it a success. Mothers of all natures (adoptive, step-mothers, grandmothers raising grandchildren, single moms, etc.) are invited to attend their March 15 meeting at the Unitarian Universalist Society at 245 Porter Lake Dr. in Springfield. Rebecca Bryer and Joyce Lapointe, both of Chicopee, and Heidi Johnes of Longmeadow have been working on bringing the center to life. "The idea had been simmering in me for a while that I would like to start some kind of parenting group," Bryer said. "When I found out about [Mothers' Center], I said, 'Here's a group that can give me the support that I want.' I approached both Joyce and Heidi and they were both interested so we sat down around September or October and got in touch with the national organization." Bryer, mother to a seven-year-old daughter, said they had to make sure their vision for their local chapter was in line with the national organization's. "They encourage the local groups to form a group that will meet the needs of our community," Bryer explained. "We're planning on starting as a small group but we hope to evolve. We would like to have an actual center, but we recognize that we aren't going to leap right into that." The center is designed to offer a supportive environment that promotes empathy, encourages growth and fosters relationships, according to the national association. Johnes, who is a mother of three, including twins, said friendship is exactly why she jumped on board. "My specific goal is just to make friends. I just really, really want to make friends. When you're a mother it's hard to make friends. You can't hang out with your single friends anymore. I just want to make friends with women who are in the same stage of life." Johnes has a background in journalism and was once employed at The Holyoke Sun as an editor. She said as the stages in her life have shifted, she is hoping to gather with women who understand the frustrations that arise while raising children. "On a bad day, sometimes it really helps to be able to go somewhere and talk to someone and have them say, 'I totally understand what your going through,'" Johnes said. Placing babies on their backs to sleep reduces the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, but having babies on their stomachs allows them to build upper body strength when they push themselves up. Lapointe said she was worried her babies weren't getting enough "tummy time." She said she would have loved to have the center back when her five-year-old triplets were babies. "I was so worried because every time I put my babies on their bellies they would cry. I wish I had another mom who could have told me it will be fine," Lapointe shared. The center members will meet once a month on the third Saturday. Bryer, who is going through credentialing, will mediate the discussion groups that will span a wide-range of topics such as women in transition, separation and divorce, military deployment, expectations as mothers, motherhood guilt, adjustments to a new baby and more. "[Discussions] won't be all up to me. Mother Center programs are member driven. We will become whatever people who show up and get involved want us to be," Bryer said. While there will be child care available, Bryer said the organization is "not so much a play group. We're about supporting the moms, creating a supportive, non-judgmental environment where moms come together and really feel heard." Lapointe said she would just like to invite mothers to give it a try. "There's no commitment. Come and see if it works for you. I know it feels like one more thing to do. I thought the same thing," she added. "Once I was there and we talked, I walked out with a very light step. It felt really worth while and helpful." For more information on the Mothers' Center Circle of Hampden County, contact Rebecca Bryer at 598-8598 or beccabry@charter.net. | ||||||
