momstown's National Fall Conference - Connecting Canadian Moms and Entrepeneurs

Last May I attended my first momstown Conference and getting ready for that I had no idea what to expect. I was new to being a business owner, new to momstown and I was about to meet the other 20+ people in the company who are all stakeholders in this business.  To say I was nervous would be an understatement.

That weekend was a great experience,  full of business development, networking and inspiration. Now as I am preparing for the momstown Fall Conference this time at the Fern Resort,  I have been reflecting on my journey over the last 8 months.

Here are my top three learnings:

Running your own Business is hard work! Yes I knew this before, however I had no idea how much work is involved nor did I realise that when you work for yourself it is hard to work set hours. I find myself enjoying what I do so much, I am wishing there were more hours in the day so I could keep going.  I get working and all of a sudden realise that 6 hours have passed.

Working for yourself takes self confidence. This too may sound obvious but this has been a big learning curve for me. You have to just go for it and take risks believing in yourself.  I have developed skills and gained knowledge from starting up the Mississauga Chapter of momstown in online marketing, social media, event coordination and blogging. Now I am writing daily, working on business planning, financials, pitching business, organizing events, creating crafts and networking with other moms, fellow entrepreneurs and community partners. I love each one of those aspects of this business (except maybe the accounting).

My last key learning is that it takes discipline to make and stick to a schedule. Knowing what you need to do as a work at home business owner & parent and actually accomplishing everything you need to are two very different things. Time needs to be dedicated for every task when there is a seemingly endless list of to-dos from household work,  business demands and personal relationships.  I have had to schedule time to talk to my partner, schedule in time to focus fully on interacting with my kids, time to keep our family eating and our lives functioning as well as my demanding business schedule.

The last 8 months have been a big adjustment. I am so excited for this weekend to re-connect with my fellow business owners from across our national momstown team to learn, network and be inspired. I will be bringing back new ideas and revitalized energy from this weekend. Get ready momstown Mississauga mamas!

May 2012 momstown National Team Photo

momstown Mississauga Moms and Kids get Silly with Science Experiments

At our Little Scientists program this month, momstown Mississauga moms and kids got silly and experimented making a childhood classic toy - Silly Putty. 

This magical stuff is surprisingly easy to make. 

Single Serving Recipe: 

2 oz glue

1/4 tsp Borax 

1/2 cup water

food colouring. 

Stir together 1/2 tsp of Borax detergent with 1/2 cup of water to dissolve. 

In a mixing bowl or small cup, measure in 2 oz of glue (a small bottle) and add a splash of water to make it  fluid. Add a couple of drops of food colouring to make the desired colour. To include more science principals, explore colour mixing and talk about how to make the kids favourite shades. 

silly putty 

Next stirring constantly,  add in the water and borax solution. While stirring, the glue's molecules will stick together turning into a slimy gooey fluid solid. As the kids mix and stir if there is a little extra water, pour it off into a separate mixing bowl.

Now the fun! Dump out the blob and start to work it. For the true experience get squishing right in  your palm. For the mess averse dump the blob into a ziploc bag, zip it up and squeeze. As the stuff firms up it becomes elastic and  can be taken out of the bag. It will dry off as the kids stretch and pull it. 

We had a great time getting messy and learned about how silly putty is a viscous liquid over a long time period but an elastic solid over a short time period. 

When we made snowmen, or created other food 'art' the pieces slowly melted back into a blob.  When scrunched up into a tight ball and dropped from a height, the silly putty breaks apart. When stretched it can reach a great length. 

We meet monthly for our Little Scientists program geared to ages 2.5 and up. If you would like to join in the fun you can buy your momstown Mississauga membership here (Gift Certificates are available here ) or visit our website to sign up for a free 4 week Trial Membership. 

Seasonal Affected Disorder - Do you get the winter blues?

Every fall I dread the time change. There is so much less sunshine in Ontario as we move from October to November I find myself trying not to slide down the slope towards depression. Seasonal Affective Disorder is something I have struggled with much of my adult life. Often called the winter blues, seasonal depression, or SAD it affects women more than men and is a common form of depression in Canada. 

When I stopped having a flexible schedule (ie. after university) and started to work full-time I noticed a real pattern to my life. Spending all that time indoors at a desk job I noticed each fall I would gain weight, lack energy, and just seemed to lose my 'mojo'. After seeing my doctor to rule out other issues it was decided I was experiencing Seasonal Affective Disorder.  

This year has been worse than most for me. In early October I had unexpected surgery when my appendix ruptured (another blog post altogether!) . After running and being active all spring and summer I was knocked flat from this surprise health complication. It's taken me a month but I am finally feeling my energy return. To try to get through everything, I have been using my SAD light, and trying to spend lots of time outdoors with my kids. 

My new momstown Mississauga family has helped enormously, bringing meals when I was sick, and understanding when our October schedule had to change while I was recovering. 
My fellow momstown entrepreneurs have also helped by providing support and   encouragement both personally, and from the business side . 

I usually feel better once the days start to get longer in late January so I'm hanging on for the holidays with my family knowing the sunshine and light will be back in my heart in a matter of weeks. 


Think you or someone you know might be affected? Here are the signs to watch for: 

• feelings of hopelessness or feeling overwhelmed
• trouble concentrating, completing tasks
• increased desire for sleep
• lack of energy
• increased appetite
• weight gain

Where to get help: 

• Your Family Doctor is the best place to start
• Canadian Mental Health Association
• Mississauga Branch of CMHA
• Peer Support Groups like momstown Mississauga 

Example of SAD Light Therapy - that's not me my desk is too messy! 

Remembrance Day Craft - P is for Poppies at momstown Mississauga

Mississauga moms and kids enjoyed our Alphabet play program crafting P is for Poppies in honour of Remembrance Day. The Fun Side in south Mississauga was our event host! 

We started off singing with the kids in our circle time, to get the kids attention.  Once the crowd was warmed up we talked about the letter P. 

Letter P - pig, pink purse, pennies, puppy, planes, peppers, puzzle pieces, playdoh & potato!

Many of the toddlers knew the letter and could easily identify it! We had a variety of items on hand from around the house to spark our discussion of what starts with the letter P.

P is for Poppies!

Poppy for Remembrance Day

The babies slept while the toddlers got busy crafting. After some glue mishaps - we had a good time gluing the Ps and the petals and the poppy centres! We gathered together at The Fun Side's party room for the crafting portion. 

After the crafts were done, there was lots of time for free play in the Toddler room. Our mamas were able to catch up and it was nice to see the kids are really getting to know each other now! There was great attention to the clean up song when it was time to tidy everything away. 

Still not a member? You can buy your membership here. We meet 20x monthly all craft supplies and attendance in our programs are included in the 
$45/yr family membership. 

momstown Mississauga Weekend Family Storytime

momstown Mississauga moms and kids (and husbands & babies too) met this weekend for a Family Storytime program for the first time.  Simply Smart Childcare Centre (a new daycare centre in the Mississauga Road and 401 area) was kind enough to let us host our first weekend family program in their Toddler Room.

Family Storytime

Simply Smart Childcare Centre is holding a FALL FAIR coming up on November 17th. Its a free community event for Mississauga families and is open to the public. Everyone is welcome!

It was a great turnout. We gathered on the large blue carpet and sang some songs. There were musical instruments, shakers, tambourines for the parents and kids to help us get moving and shaking.

For our storytime we read a great book about fall & falling leaves and another book which focused on counting and rhyming. It was great to see all the kids of different ages and stages getting into the stories and songs. Our tiniest baby enjoyed zooming to the moon as much as the older kids, while our oldest toddler liked the book which had pictures made from everyday items.

We had a great craft provided by Simply Smart, a tea light lantern. The kids had a fantastic time painting the glue all over the baby food jars and sticking on different coloured tissue paper squares.
While the masterpieces were drying there were special snacks to enjoy and of course lots of toys and sensory items for exploration during our free play time.

Glue is fun! 

Mr. Independence

As we are building up membership at momstown Mississauga its great to have family events on the weekends to accommodate our working parents, and to meet the extended family. Part of the beauty of a momstown Mississauga membership is that if Moms go back to work and Dad takes a parental leave or another family member steps in to assume responsibility for the care of the kids, they are just as welcome at our programs. We may have the name momstown but we are certainly focused on Family.

Simply the Smartest Activity Book! 

If you have not yet checked out our membership it's only $45/year for the whole family ( that's right 1 child or 4!). Crafts are included, and we meet 20+ times per month. There is no better deal out there for fun and educational programs for kids which also includes family programming and mom-only activities like our mama's nights out programs. You can buy your annual membership here, with the holidays coming up its also a fabulous gift idea.

Mississauga moms and babies create special memories at momstown

This morning we met for our weekly momstown Mississauga Baby Basics class. We hold it each Thursday at Taima Zone in Mississauga. Our moms and babies today created some special water bottle shakers.

Sensory development starts from birth. Babies can experience the five senses, smell, touch, sight, hearing and  taste just as soon as they are born. It's our job as parents to help them explore and develop their senses as they grow.

DIY Water bottle shakers at Baby Basics! 

Water bottle shakers are a great activity, for any age of baby right up to older kids.
For babies bright colours, things that sparkle and of course a few heavier items to make a rattle are perfect. The crinkle of the water bottles is also a proven favourite... try choosing small bottles like these to fit in those tiny hands.

Shaking it up! 

Our smallest baby's older sibling was more than happy to show him how to shake! To engage older kids ask them to name the colours of the items they are adding. Counting is also a fun way to develop numeracy and engage while crafting! This little man loved adding the buttons and pom poms and at just over 2 he already knows all his colours!  

 

Serious business adding Buttons! 

Adding a variety of items some that float and sink is a great way to introduce some science principles into this simple craft.

Not a member yet? Sign up today for a 4 week free trial membership and meet some great Mississauga moms who are having fun and engaging with their kids at our 20 + events each month.  

Mississauga Families loved momstown's Fisher Price Halloween Boo Bash!

momstown Mississauga mamas and kids played and had fun at the Halloween Boo Bash yesterday hosted at Little Rascals Indoor Playground. 

The biggest hit of the party were the 7 toys provided by Fisher Price. The toy testing area was definitely the busiest spot and its impossible to say which toy was a favourite. 

Fisher Price Toys on Display

 Moms and Babies hard at work testing toys! 

The most exciting things about all this testing is that 7 lucky moms got to take the toys home! We chose winners for Best Costume for a Mom and Best costume for a kid. There were some really creative parents. 

This momstown mama came with her own Zoo A Giraffe and an Elephant! 

 Our two Best Costume winners - mom was a Zoo Keeper and the little guy was a Strongman! 

Strongman wouldn't take a photo with  his barbells - this is the toy he won!

There were lots of activities and fun craft and sensory stations to keep the kids busy - plus delicious treats.  The Fisher Price toys were the clear favourite. 

Rescue Hero's Firetruck with Billy Blazes

Winner of the Little People Disney Princess Songs Castle

Winner of the Disney Sing Along Choo Choo

Master Moves Mickey Winning Family!

Sensory Fun with Pumpkins! 

Creepy Craft Station

There were also some great activities at the party.  Sensory fun with OOEY GOOEY Pumpkins, Pumpkin Bowling, and of course what party would be complete with out some snacks! 

Frankenstein Pudding Cups! 

Seeing all the kids running and playing in costume was terrific! There were two sets of twins, baby chicks and ladybugs, a teensy tiny cow, a small Junior Chef (we'll have to have him to our monthly cooking program) Princesses and a couple of Orcas plus many more.  

Thanks to everyone who came out and celebrated with momstown Mississauga.  We had a great time!  Want to join our next party?  Purchase your membership here.  Hope to see you soon!