Happy New Year! The beginning of the year is exciting because it marks an opportunity to leave old things behind, make a fresh start, and cherish new beginnings. We invite you to join us in being intentional about what you want to accomplish this year. And let us know how we can support you! Enjoy this edition of the NAMC eNews. Best wishes,
Alison La Ferlita
Executive Director
516 939-MOMS X101
The National Association of Mothers' Centers (NAMC) provides programs that empower mothers, fathers and caregivers to find solutions that work for their families, their work lives and their personal lives.
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NAMC Webinar:
Unlock the Einstein Inside: Sharpening Your Child's Cognitive Skills
Date: Tuesday, January 28th
Time: 8 to 9 PM ET
Presented by: Dr. Shelley Pazer, Director of Learning & Development at LearningRx
What if there were a little bit of Einstein in all of us? Even better, wouldn't you like to know how to unlock that Einstein in your child - that bit of genius and intelligence that you know is hidden away? Too often, the expression of great intelligence, ability and potential is simply locked up behind an unseen learning barrier. During this webinar, you'll learn:
- How prevalent learning struggles are in children and adults.
- The causes of learning struggles.
- What cognitive skills are exactly and how they impact learning.
- Practical ideas and tips on what parents can do to strengthen and enhance their children's cognitive skills.
To register, click here. If you have any difficulties registering, e-mail Lisa Kaplan-Miller or call 877-939- 6667 ext 106. Webinars are free to NAMC and Mothers' Center members. Non-member fee is $20. Join the NAMC for $35 and get a year's worth of webinars for free.
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NAMC Events for 2014 Mark Your Calendar
The NAMC has several events planned for 2014 that will provide value information and great opportunities to connect with other mothers and families. They are listed below.
Be on the lookout for more details on each event. And be sure to visit our website Events page for updates.
- Advocacy Workshop: Join us for an honest presentation and discussion on how and why as mothers it's important for us to advocate for both our children and ourselves.
When: Thursday, February 6th from 6 to 8 PM
Where: Molloy College (Rockville Centre Campus, Public Square Multipurpose room) - Children's Art Auction: A fundraiser, hosted by NAMC, that will feature artwork created by Mothers' Center children, Westbury High School Art Honor Society Students and other local artists.
When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 1
Where: The Space, 250 Post Avenue, Westbury, NY 11590
Cost: $10 for adults/ $5 for children 12 and under. - Leadership Retreat: Mothers' Center Leadership Council weekend retreat
When: March 14-16
Where: Our Lady of Grace, Manhasset, NY - Mile for Moms Walk: Celebrate the Mother's Day Centennial with National Association of Mother's Center by celebrating our Moms ... also known as wife, daughter, sister and friend. More information to come.
When: Saturday, May 3
Where: Long Beach Boardwalk - LICM Fundraiser: You are invited to explore, examine, dream and play with NAMC at the Long Island Children's Museum for $15 per adult, and $12 per child 12 and under.
When: Sunday, October 12 from 6 - 9 PM
Where: Long Island Children's Museum - Work/Life Conference: More to come.
When: Friday, November 7th
Where: Crest Hollow Country Club
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Mothers' Center in the Spotlight: Mothers' Center of Southwest Nassau
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Pictured above: Members of the Mothers' Center of Southwest Nassau at a luncheon honoring their childcare workers
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Having access to reliable childcare can make a big difference by giving parents time for work, personal appointments, errands or much-needed, kid-free downtime. Members of the Mothers' Center of Southwest Nassau in East Rockaway, New York understand this and work hard to provide access to childcare opportunities in affordable ways.
Along with hosting Nursery School programs, the group also offers childcare for newborns through preschool during scheduled group discussions as a way to give participating mothers time to connect and take their conversations to a deeper level without the distraction of tiny voices. Additionally, the group recently started a free Babysitting Co-op for members and hope to host an "open play" during the next school break.
Join us each month as we highlight different local Mothers' Centers across the nation. Don't have a Mothers' Center near you? Learn more about starting a local Mothers' Center group by downloading our New Group Start-up Guide.
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The Ties That Bind: We Need Relationships
 Regardless of race or social status, mothers understand the value of relationships - especially with other mothers! While the Internet may cause some to be more isolated, mothers will often jump at the opportunity to meet and connect with other mothers face-to-face/
In the Huffington post article "The Ties That Bind: How Childcare Centers Build Social Capital", Dr. Mario Luis Small focused on mothers who enrolled their children in childcare. Childcare providers often create opportunities for mothers to connect with one another because of the variety of social and volunteer opportunities such as field trips and fundraisers. The Dr. Small studied a variety of mothers and found that low-income mothers who enrolled their children in childcare centers experienced 40% lower odds of depression than comparable mothers who did not enroll their children in centers. The odds of depression for middle to high-income mothers were more than 55% lower than those of non-enrolled mothers.
No matter how much we may enjoy FaceBook and Pinterest, nothing takes the place of face-to-face connections. And that's what Mothers' Centers is all about!
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