MOMMY CONNECTIONS
Business helps new moms learn and connect.
With the birth of her fourth child, Shauna Giggey started to wonder if returning to work full time at RBC was the right thing to do.
Having suffered from post-partum anxiety with her first son, who is now 14, Giggey was also looking for a mommy baby group that could help her through the first few months at home with a new baby — a time Giggey said that can be lonelier than expected.
The 41-year-old Sydney River resident couldn’t find a group that fit her needs. That’s when a friend in Ottawa told her about the Mommy Connections franchise and Giggey found her next career move.
“I fell in love with it … we start off every single class sharing the highs and lows of the week,” said Giggey, who also has sons ages 11, six and 21 months.
“It’s such a relief for other moms who are just experiencing it for the first time to see, ‘Oh, I am not the only one not sleeping, I’m not the only one whose baby cries a lot’ … it’s very comforting to know you’re not doing something wrong, it’s very normal to feel this way.”
Mommy Connections Cape Breton launched in September 2017 and Giggey held her first mom and baby eight-week workshop in October. Eleven women signed up and all 11 signed up for the followup workshop and have remained in touch.
“Some people don’t quite understand the concept,” Giggey said, stressing the educational component is as important as the social one.
“Once somebody gives it a try they are hooked. They love it because it’s not just about, ‘Oh we’re going to learn about physiotherapy today’… It’s about the friends you make in the group. It’s just the whole package.”
Mommy Connections, founded in 2009 by Carol McBee in Edmonton, Alta., is a “post-natal program and new moms social group,” according to its website. Currently there are 27 locations across Canada and some of the programs offered are: mom and baby, mini movers, mom and tots and mom-to-be.
Mom and tots classes are aimed at child connections and are open to grandparents or other caregivers. The mom-tobe workshop is a one-day session which focuses on prenatal and is open to both parents or the mom and a support person. The other two programs focus on mom-child relationship building.
Workshops cost $120 for an eight-week program, $80 for a six-week program and $80 per couple for mom-to-be.
Different guest speakers make presentations, helping showcase local businesses that have services moms might need.
Giggey has set up workshops about yoga, chiropractic and essential oil uses. The workshops take place at the Southend Community Centre in Sydney.
“Hospital tours don’t tell you how overwhelming it can be… It’s nice to have choices on what you want to do.
“My program is a structured program, designed over eight weeks so the moms can build relationships … there’s lots of laughter and tears,” she said.
Giggey said she has had great response and most groups are sold-out or nearly sold-out, except for the mom-to-be pre-natal workshop which is held every couple of months. Even with the lower numbers, she plans on keeping them going because “these mommies need this.”
Giggey says opening Mommy Connections was the best decision she made.
“It certainly has allowed me to create my own balance between work and home. To be honest, I love it so much it doesn’t feel like work and I feel like the two complement each other.”
“It’s such a relief for other moms who are just experiencing it for the first time to see, ‘Oh, I am not the only one not sleeping,
I’m not the only one whose baby cries a lot’ … it’s very comforting to know you’re not doing something wrong, it’s very normal to feel this way.”
Shauna Giggey