Events

Mothers' Support Network has lots of activities for moms and families. We offer book circles, events, classes, workshops, discussion groups, support groups and playgroups. If you have any questions about an upcoming event, please call (916) 971-4860. Please leave your name and a contact number if you get the answering machine and someone will return your call.

COST: Unless stated differently, all classes and events would appreciate a $2 donation.

LOCATION: All classes and activities will take place at our MSN Parent Resource Center, unless specifically noted. The Center is located at 2460 Avalon Drive, Sacramento 95864. -Get directions-

REGISTRATION: All classes request an RSVP 48-hours in advance by calling (916) 971-4860. Walk-ins are always welcome, however some classes may be canceled without notice.

NOTE: Please feel free to bring your children to all events, classes and discussions. We have a play area and a designated eating area.

SOS All Moms—Your Help is Needed!
We would like to keep our store and center open and available to the community. Is this something that you can work into your schedule for a couple of hours once or twice a month? Do you have an older child that you would like to bring with you? Please contact our new Volunteer Coordinator, Heather McClure at (530) 848-9248 or e-mail her at lapiz_azul11@yahoo.com right away and talk about the possibilities. We need each other. We will hold a Moonfaeries Store Volunteer Question and Answer and Store Training class every fourth Saturday at the Center. This is very casual and as your schedule allows. This can also be done during the week when you’re there.

*Events/Discussions

MSN Board of Director's Meetings
2nd and 4th Thursdays: 12:30-2 p.m.
Ever wonder how decisions get made? Want to get involved? Have an opinion? Then please attend the MSN Board of Directors’ Meeting. These meetings are open to everyone and are held the second and fourth Thursday of each month. Call Mya at (916) 868-4884 to confirm.

Annual Meeting
Thursday, May 22, 12:30 p.m.
The Board of Directors’ would like to invite you to our Annual Meeting. Refreshments will be provided. We hope you’ll come and talk about the future of MSN with us.

Moonfaeries Store Volunteers Training and Center Overview
Repeats every 4th Saturday of the month, 10 a.m.
April 26, May 24, June 28, July 26
Heather McClure gives a short overview of what to do if you volunteer to work in the MSN Moonfaeries Store. Thank you, Heather, for accepting this very important role at MSN! And thank you to all of you who give of your time to support MSN in our other very important role of Store Volunteer!

Music and Movement with Lisa Phenix
Tuesdays and Fridays, 11:15–11:45 a.m.
Let music encourage the unfolding miracle that is your unique child. Bring out the song in your child, promote self-esteem and increase coordination. Nurture your child’s freedom of self expression and stimulate your child’s development on every level. This class meets most Tuesdays and Fridays. Please consult the weekly calendar for updates. A $5/family donation is encouraged to keep this activity going!

Knitting and Handwork Circle of Moms
1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1–2:30 p.m.
Marci Demott wants to invite you all to join her while she and Skylar are at the Center every Thursday afternoon. She says she’s not an accomplished knitter, but she can do some basic stitches. Bring your knitting or handiwork project and enjoy some relaxation at our Center while your children play in the play area nearby.

Film & Discussion: Alfie Kohn’s "Unconditional Parenting" for Moms and Dads
Thursday, May 29, 6:30–8:30 p.m. (bring your dinner)
Back by popular demand and led by MSN member, Erika Hedglin, come to watch and discuss Unconditional Parenting: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason by Alfie Kohn. This film is full of fresh and provocative ideas that challenge and inform. Plus, you’ll find yourself laughing throughout the video, as Kohn manages to inject a lot of humor and entertaining points into his talks. Substance-wise, this DVD lecture is something every parent should hear. Kohn uses reason and decades of psychological research to show how traditional methods of punishment and rewards (everything from the hickory stick to the sticker chart) may produce (in some kids) temporary compliance, but at a high cost in terms of long-term moral and emotional development, psychological intrinsic motivation, parent-child relationship, and on and on. Discussion following the movie helps to learn from others’ ideas and talk through questions or concerns. We hope Dads will come too!!

Book Circle: "Optimal Parenting -- Using Natural Learning Rhythms to Nurture the Whole Child," by Ba Luvmour
Three Saturdays, April 19, May 10, and May 31, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. (bring your lunch)
Facilitated by Barbara Daly and Erika Hedglin
April 19: Read and discuss Section 1 and Section 2 through Chapter 5 (118 pages)
May 10: Read and discuss Section 2, Chapter 6 through Chapter 8 (89 pages)
May 31: Read and discuss Section 3 and Section 4 (140 pages)
Ba Luvmour, who for nearly 25 years has steeped himself in fields including child development, family dynamics, anthropology and even quantum mechanics, says at the crux of his newest book is the delineation of four developmental stages of childhood. Each stage represents a way the child organizes his world, and that child’s parents must nourish—not fight against or try to alter—that place. Only then can optimal well-being be established in the child and, thus, in the entire family. “Bringing well-being is the quickest, most powerful way to get to family well-being and to remedying dysfunction.”

Strategies for Healthy Eating in the Real World—Five-part Series
NOTE: DUE TO A SCHEDULE CONFLICT, THE DATES FOR THIS SERIES HAVE BEEN CHANGED. THE NEW DATES WILL BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
Learning about nutrition and making healthy choices for your family is important, but taking that knowledge into the grocery store can often be confusing and overwhelming. Nutritionists Kelli Russell, NC, and Jeanette Rosenberg, NC, in their five-part series “Strategies for Healthy Eating in the Real World”, explore how to make nutrition “practical” with grocery shopping tips, menu planning ideas, and easy-to-make recipes your family will love. Each workshop focuses on a different key nutritional “nugget”, including: Flavorful Fiber, Making Carbohydrates Count, Food for Good Mood, The “Not so Sweet Truth” about Sugar, and Power-packed Proteins.
Session 1: Fabulous Fats
Session 2: Making Carbohydrates Count
Session 3: Flavorful Fiber
Session 4: The “Not so Sweet Truth” about Sugar
Session 5: Food for Good Mood
Cost per class: $20/MSN members; $25/non-members. $5 discount per class when enrolling for full series on May 1.

Toddler Art Exploration
Toddlers are free to explore different art materials in this class. The finished product isn’t as important as the experience of creating it! Please bring a change of clothing or something you don’t mind getting dirty. Because space at the Center is limited, feel free to drop in anytime between 10 a.m. and noon. $5/class. Please RSVP (even if it’s tentative!) to cparker00@gmail.com.
Paint Exploration
Thursday, July 17 and Saturday, July 19: 10 a.m.–noon
Collage Exploration
Thursday, July 31 and Saturday, July 26: 10 a.m.–noon

Mom and Baby Yoga with Lillian Shoupe
Mondays, 10–11:15 a.m. April 7 through July 28
This class is offered to moms of new babies as a pathway for gathering and settling into this new life experience. Whether you are a first time or a repeat mom, we work with the new physical challenges of motherhood, as well as take time to check in and share daily thoughts, ideas, emotions, and work towards reclaiming your body and mind. The classes will focus on pelvic structural alignment, core and whole-body strength and flexibility, focused breathing and relaxation techniques. Moms are invited to attend when they feel ready, which can be anywhere from three weeks to three months postpartum. Please talk this over with your midwife or doctor. Babies are welcome to participate until they are walking. All moms are encouraged to engage with their babies throughout the class. And, if mom needs a baby break, I am eager and willing to help out as necessary. The duration of the class is 75 minutes. $10/class

Sign Language (ASL) with Young Children
Friday, May 9, Noon-1:30 p.m.
For children (about nine months to about five years old) and their caregivers. Children will learn or continue to practice American Sign Language through songs, poems, a story and playing with toys. Some time will be devoted to teaching parents additional signs and answering any questions. Parents with babies are welcome to join us. Feel free to invite a friend and bring your lunch. Presented by Audra Sterrett, MSN member, previous kindergarten teacher and SAHM of two young kids who learned signs before they could speak.

Create a Living Legacy for Your Child
Friday, May 16 and Wednesday, May 21, 1–2 p.m.
Would you like to give your child a start on retirement? Sounds funny? With the magic of triple compounding you can put a minimum amount monthly into an insurance policy and create a living legacy for your child. All you need to do is pay into the policy until the child is 21. Want your child to be able, at age 60, to take out $100,000.00 to $200,000.00 for 25 years, and have a death benefit of at least $500,000? All Tax Free! David Curry will be offering two seminars on how to protect your child and his future. You can also learn how to create an income stream for yourself. David has over 16 years of life insurance experience. David promises that this will be a very educational experience and will last only one hour.

Baby Carrier Workshop: Slings, Wraps & More
Wednesday, May 28, 12:30 p.m.
Wish someone would show you how to wear your baby in a sling? Is your toddler too heavy for your Bjorn or Moby? Do you have experience with a wrap, sling, Mei Tai, soft back-pack or hip style carrier? Please come share what you know at this free babywearing workshop. Bring your slings, wraps and baby carriers (whether you know how to use them or not). We’ll have several different types for you to try with your baby or toddler. Learn carrier holds, pros & cons, why to wear your baby, and get an informational handout. You can even buy a carrier at Moonfaeries to start using right away. Feel free to invite a friend and bring your lunch. Presented by Audra Sterrett, MSN member and babywearing mom of two.

Cloth Diaper Discussion
Wednesday, June 25, Noon (Led by Christie Parker)
Interested in how other people cloth diaper? Want to learn how to start but are overwhelmed by all the choices on the internet? If you already use cloth diapers, please share what works for you, your likes and dislikes. Bring some sample diapers/covers to show if you can. We will share what we’ve learned.

CranioSacral Therapy Presentation
Wednesday, June 4, Noon
Amy Lewis, BS, CST-T, LMT, offers a gentle solution to relieving pain, stress and dysfunction in children and adults. Amy works with a light touch therapy called CranioSacral Therapy. The work helps those with chronic neck and back pain, migraines, headaches, fatigue, TMJ, chronic fatigue, colic, learning disabilities, birth trauma, emotional trauma, and sensory integration. Benefits include greater relaxation, relief of pain, greater concentration, better sleep, increased range of motion, and emotional balance. She helps you find tools to steer clear of the dead-end traps of either long-held or intensely held patterns of increased pain, stress and dysfunction. This work is powerful, profound and highly effective.

Book Circle: Michael Mendizza’s "Magical Parent, Magical Child: The Art of Joyful Parenting"
Saturday, June 7, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.
This is a second chance to read this book and join others to talk about what’s inside. We met in February and all agreed that it would be worth having another book circle around this extremely interesting and helpful book. Please call Barbara at (916) 744-1478 if you are planning to attend.

Sign Language (ASL) for Babies
Wednesday, July 16, Noon
Come share what you know about using sign language with your child or find out how to communicate with your baby before he can speak. Learn about resources like “Signing Times” videos. (While I’m not a fan of babies/toddlers watching t.v., these are very good for learning new signs.) Handout provided. Invite a friend and bring your lunch. Presented by Audra Sterrett, MSN member and mom of two young kids who learned signs before they could speak. Free. Donations ($2) to MSN encouraged.

Advice for What to Have and Do After Baby Arrives: A New-Parent Workshop
Tuesday, June 3, 6:30 p.m.
It’s like a whole new world to learn about when moving from “no children” to “We’re having a baby!” Wouldn’t it be nice to have ideas for busy parents-to-be and suggestions from parents who’ve been there already? Please invite anyone you know who is on the road to becoming a new parent. What do you wish you’d known ahead of time for living life with a baby? Calling all new (and not so new) parents to come share what you’ve learned. Handout included with information/knowledge/tips. Presented by Audra Sterrett, MSN member and “been there” mom of two.

Having a Home Birth
Community Guest Speaker: Tosi Marceline, Birthstream Midwifery
Wednesday, June 11, 1–2 p.m.
Pregnancy and birth are some of the most intimate, personal and powerful times in a family’s life. Birth changes your family, changes your view of the world and challenges you tremendously. We believe that pregnancy and birth are normal physiological processes, which benefit from careful, individualized attention, good food, exercise, rest and open minds and hearts. If you have an interest in home birth or are planning one in the future, let Tosi Marceline of Birthstream Midwifery in Davis outline the possible benefits of this choice and answer your questions and concerns. She is a California Licensed Midwife and a Certified Professional Midwife who has been practicing locally since 1982. Tosi has two children who were born at home.

Infant Massage with Lillian Shoupe
Wednesdays, April 16, May 14, June 18, July 9, Noon–2 p.m.
$7/family, materials fee included.
Come and learn a gentle and loving baby massage that has many benefits for both parents and children. The relationship between a parent and baby is enhanced and strengthened through this wonderful modality of communication. You will learn to understand your baby’s cues sooner, ease belly upsets, and develop a long lasting relationship of massage and conscious touch that will last a lifetime (they will learn to rub you, too). To participate in this class the minimum age is three weeks old and there is no maximum age—it is never too late to learn. As MSN grows with this ongoing class, we can look into creating age segregated classes held on a more frequent basis. Items to bring to class: bed pillow, a receiving blanket, dry pad or plastic bag to place under baby (many babies will pee), and a sense of humor. Unscented massage oil and handouts will be provided. If you wish, you can bring your own natural and unscented massage oil—grape seed, almond, olive, canola, etc. Leading you in this exploration will be Lillian Shoupe. Besides infant massage teacher, the many hats she wears include being the mom to two no-longer-babies sons, birth and postpartum doula, Certified Rolfer, movement therapist, prenatal yoga instructor, and an avid quilter and needlepointer. If you need more info please call Lillian at (916) 489-7805.

Nursing Your Toddler Discussion
Time, Date, and Location TBA.
Please contact Beth Dubois at bethdubois@yahoo.com or (916) 455-4671 if you would like more information or plan to attend. Interested in talking to other moms who nurse their toddler? Find support within a group of like-minded individuals who value extended breastfeeding. Let’s get together to discuss nursing a toddler. You know the stuff the books don’t discuss because so many moms do not nurse past a year old. Some of you are nursing a toddler and are now pregnant; can you share your experience? Still nursing to sleep? Anyone weaned yet? Let’s talk about it. This will be a round table discussion and toddlers and babies are welcome to come, or feel free to come without them. Discuss your experiences with a group of mamas about the joys and tribulations of an older nursling.

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