http://www.thebarrieexaminer.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?archive=true&e=1556596
Online group connects moms
Posted By NICKI CRUICKSHANK
Posted 5 months ago
Corrine Radke's life became twice as busy when her twins arrived a year ago. Although being a mom gave her great joy, she often felt isolated in her new home in Barrie.
"I was going stir crazy in the winter, and I had no family here to spend time with," said Radke, watching her twin daughters, who are almost two years old, enjoy a snack in Sunnidale Park. "I wanted to get them out as much as possible as they grew up, because they get antsy at home. So, this group has done wonders for them and it's been my saviour."
The Barrie mom joined an online group called Momstown, which formed its Barrie chapter, barrie. momstown.ca, last August. The site is meant to connect local moms and get them out meeting each other in their community.
Momstown's initial website, www.momstown.ca, was created by suburban moms Ann-Marie Burton and Christi Rasheed and launched in Burlington in 2007. The Barrie chapter's site has been growing steadily.
"This group has become my family here, and we stick together," Radke said. "I wanted my children to experience playing with children of all ages, and they can do that with this group. It's done wonders for me, too, meeting a lot of other mothers in town."
The Barrie chapter held Momstown Mania yesterday morning at Sunnidale Park outside the Dorian Parker Centre. The giant play date was meant to create awareness of the group and give local moms an outing. About 100 moms and their youngsters showed up for the event.
"This event gives everyone an idea of what Momstown does and what events we provide for our local moms," said Karrie Copelli, one of the Barrie chapter's community managers. "It's not only a social time for moms, it's just as much about the kids, and everything at these events are very mom-and-child-oriented."
Copelli said Momstown was exactly what her family needed when they came to town.
"When we moved to the area, this is how I made all my friends," she said. "I didn't know anyone here and it's hard moving to a new place. My daughter, Noelle, has actually made friends through this, as well."
The park grounds were filled with activities for moms and tots. Barrie's Kindermusik had a booth of musical instruments set up, and a painting table, snack table, flower planting station and a gymnastics area were all set up around the Dorian Parker Centre. Members of St. John Ambulance and Barrie firefighters were also on site doing demonstrations.
It was the perfect place for Nicole Willison and her 22-month-old daughter, Trinity, to spend the morning in the sun. Trinity headed straight for the paint table and had colour from head to toe in no time.
We came here to socialize and we don't get outside as much sometimes, so this was great," Willison said. "This group has helped her to become less shy. She has no fear of meeting other kids anymore. And it's a great mom support group for me, and gets me away from those motherly duties for a while."
caters to all
mothers with children from newborns up to age five, new moms, working moms, stay-at-home moms or any mother who craves personal interaction.
For more information, visit barrie. momstown.ca.
ncruickshank @ thebarrieexaminer.com
