The Strand Theater will never be the same.
That was where the Mommies of Las Madres last Saturday night
kicked up their heels during their annual dinner dance.
Before our daughter Emma was born, I had only heard of Las
Madres but had no idea what the group was or how to get
involved.
The Strand Theater will never be the same.
That was where the Mommies of Las Madres last Saturday night kicked up their heels during their annual dinner dance.
Before our daughter Emma was born, I had only heard of Las Madres but had no idea what the group was or how to get involved.
That all changed when I went to their semi-annual garage sale last year then months later to my first outing at the local bagel shop.
What a great, supportive and funny group of women! Sometimes we talk about our babies and our puzzlement over their mysterious ways. “Does your baby still wake up in the middle of the night?” we ask each other. “Does she poop every day?” “Does he have any teeth yet?” “When did she start crawling?” We’re all looking for answers – some clue into their little psyches.
Other times we talk about adjusting to motherhood. For some of us that has meant trading in our power suits for drooled-on sweatpants and the 9 to 5 life for 24/7. For others, learning to juggle work and parenthood while staying sane.
Las Madres is foremost a community service organization, but for new Mommies, they are a lifeline.
I remember when Emma was just weeks old, different Mommies would deliver dinner to our home for two weeks. While my husband, Chris, and I were learning to care for our little one, it was such a relief to know someone would be dropping off a freshly prepared dinner that we didn’t have to buy or make ourselves. And most of the Moms just didn’t pop in and out, they cooed over our daughter asleep in her swing – her favorite position during those first tender weeks. They asked me how I was doing and made me promise to call them if I needed anything.
In the weeks ahead, Las Madres became much more than a catering service. I got to know the Mommies in the group and their kids. And I’ve learned so much about myself and being a Mommy.
I’ve learned what a comfort it is to have other Mommies to talk to who are going through the exact same thing you are. Sometimes just hearing yourself speak and express what you don’t even know you’re feeling is such a relief. And having the support of other Mommies is so uplifting.
I’ve also learned that I’m not alone in my fears and paranoias. I’m not the only one who has been tempted to call 911 when our babies spit up with no end in sight or is uncertain as to why they cry for hours on end for apparently no reason.
And in the wee hours of the morning, I know I’m not the only one still awake comforting a child.
Parenting can often be isolating, but it doesn’t have to be. Sitting around drinking coffee and laughing about the spit-up stains on our clothes sure isn’t.
I don’t know what I would have done and continue to do without Las Madres. I try to express this to Chris, but I don’t know if he fully understands. That’s why I’m so glad we both had the chance to attend the Las Madres dinner dance. While Grandma and Grandpa baby-sat, we enjoyed a continental feast and dancing to a DJ at the Strand Theater with our Las Madres pals.
I learned a few more things that evening: namely dancing beats aerobics and my knees are not what they used to be. Joking aside, I’ve learned that I have a new group of friends in town who I would’ve never met without Las Madres.
So, thank you. Thanks for helping me be a better Mommy.
