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FIRST MOMS: Group helps them cope, connect
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Published: November 7, 2008
Babies don't come with instructions, so the Iredell County Partnership for Young Children is offering first-time moms an opportunity to connect with other new mothers and learn helpful hints for beginning parenthood on the right foot.
The 1st Moms' Club – for mothers of children up to 8 months old – meets at 10 a.m. at the Mooresville Public Library on the first Tuesday of each month, and at the Smart Start office in Statesville at 10 a.m. on the first Monday.
"It can be a little isolating to be a first time mom," said Marnie Reber, a parent educator with ICPYC, noting that the 1st Moms' Club offers much more than parenting tips and monthly educational topics.
"(The moms) look forward to seeing each other each month and cultivating relationships," she added.
The free program, which kicked off in Mooresville in September, provides both networking opportunities – with other moms and parent educators – as well as monthly informational sessions during the hour-long meeting, which, said Reber, can serve as the first step into "a whole lot of support" through ICPYC until the child begins kindergarten.
On Tuesday, several local mothers attended the Mooresville monthly session and learned – per the month's topic – how to exercise with their babies.
Facilitated by Jessica Bachand of Stroller Fit of Lake Norman, the mothers learned how to properly recondition their post-pregnancy bodies while interacting with their children.
Through a variety of exercises, the mothers incorporated their children – all of whom cooed and giggled through the event – into the routines specifically tailored for the postpartum body. The new moms also swapped stories and tips with each other as they lunged and stretched.
"I went to the first class and we learned CPR, and I loved it," said Candie Querbach who brought not only her four-month-old son, Gage, but also a friend's son, Silas Bryan, on Tuesday.
"We got to play with other babies and meet other moms," she added. "I'm a stay-at-home mom so I look forward to getting out and doing this."
Kim Yarmoluk, who attended for the second time with her daughter Katelyn, said she, too, looks forward to the monthly meeting, especially as a fairly new resident in Mooresville.
"It's nice as a resource to find another mom or two," said Yarmoluk, who moved to town in July. She noted her daughter has a lot of fun as well during the meeting, and on Tuesday, eight-month-old Katelyn took four consecutive steps for the first time, triggering enthusiastic praise from the class.
"This is good for her. She's watching, taking it all in," Yarmoluk added.
On Dec. 2, at the MPL, Reber and Glenda Lambert, the Early Learning Resource Center Coordinator for the ICPYC's Mooresville site, will present "Baby Brain Games and Simple Crafts." All new mothers are welcome to attend, free of charge. The same topic will be offered at the Statesville location on Dec. 1.
New mom Blanca Balles of Mooresville, who attended this week with her three-week-old son, Hector, said she "absolutely would like to keep going" to the 1st Moms' Club.
"I think it would be good to know other moms," she said.
For additional information about the Mooresville 1st Moms' Club, contact Reber at 704-660-1557, and in Statesville, contact Lisa Maynard at 704-878-9980, or visit www.iredellsmartstart.org.
For information on Stroller Fit, contact Bachand at 704-728-8738 or visit www.strollerfit.com/lakenorman
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