The New Modern Family

I was inspired to write this blog post while watching Modern Family, one of my favourite TV shows.  I started thinking about how there are so many different styles of families in today’s day and age.  At one time, there was an idealistic image that society placed on a family.  That image still exists to a certain point today but more and more, the new modern family is here and I think that it is fantastic!

There are many reasons why I think momstown is great and one of them is that it brings together a diverse group of families and moms.  I’m sure with some of us, there is a twenty year age gap and it’s great that we can find commonality with other moms, regardless of our age.  Some of us come from all over the world and are part of different cultures, yet together in the same room, the conversation flows.  The conversation can be about our children and our families or about our personal interests and hobbies and everything else in between.

There are many things about a traditional family that is changing and I feel that as long as love is preached within the home, let everyone be happy and live their life!  I’m a firm believer in “make love, not war.” Some kids have two moms or two dads, others have one of each and some have just the one parent. Some couples have found love a second time around through marriage and divorce and are blending families and are having more children with their new partner.

There are many couples who are waiting longer to get married and start a family, if at all getting married.  I know people who are in common-law relationships (with and without children) and they appear to be as happy as the happily married couples I know.  Not all couples feel the need to get married and it’s great that two people know what they want and are comfortable with their decision. 
It’s a great feeling to be on the same page as your partner.  Not including fertility issues, some couples are waiting longer to have children because they are focusing on a career or enjoy a certain lifestyle.  Some people know that they want a large family; others know that they want a small family; some are not sure and are just going to go with the flow of life. All the power to everyone for whatever makes you happy!

There are children being raised in the sprawling suburbs, some children are being raised in high rise condos in an urban center and some children are being raised outside the city but just close enough for amenities.  Each environment has advantages and disadvantages and it totally depends on the family.  What works for one family will not necessarily work for another.  This logic can be used for so many different topics.

momstown Winnipeg at a Pajama Breakfast!

We all have different parenting styles but want the best for our children and families. With momstown, there is so much that we can learn from one another if we’re open minded about it.  With some issues, you may stand firm with what you already feel and with other issues, you’re more flexible and open to other opinions.  That is why momstown is fantastic!  We’re here for one another and we’re all part of the new modern family because as the saying goes, “it takes a village to raise a family” and momstown is the new village!


This article was written by Christina H, one of our newest blog contributors. She is currently a Stay at Home Mom to an adorable 18 month old.

If it Takes a Village, Does That Make Me the Idiot?

My very first contributing blog entry for momstown. I feel like I’m walking up to meet a blind date for the very first time and am experiencing all the classic symptoms. Dry mouth (admittedly, potentially from the bottle of red I am funneling at light speed), sweaty palms, heart racing and all of the typical, neurotic pre-first date thoughts are swirling through my head. Will you like me? Will I come across as witty and cute, or will your great aunt’s, drycleaner’s, brother in-law call with an “emergency” in the middle of you reading this? A familiar panic is setting in…

Now that I’ve introduced myself as Woody Allen, let me explain that I’m not (quite) the manic flake I’m making myself out to be. The truth is, this usually very cool and composed girl has very good reason to feel like a fish out of water here. Confession time. I’m not a Mom. Are you still here? You are probably asking yourself what I can possibly contribute to a Moms’ group. Believe me when I say this; ever since Ester asked me to write for momstown, I have been asking myself the same thing. At first, I saw this assignment as a way to come through for my best friend as she works tirelessly to build a successful business, while raising two small children and overseeing construction on a new home. As I am currently living in Boston, I’m not around to do all the things I would be doing if I were in Winnipeg (namely babysitting my precious Bella and Benji). If writing is what Ester wants from me, then words she shall have! What the hell am I going to write for a blog about being a Mom? Foiled! I found the fatal flaw in my good deed for the year.

Courtney with her adorably, quirky husband, Jamit, and their free spirited Wheaten Terrier, Lumi. Doing one of the things they love best, hiking!

After months (in addition to the neuroses, I am also a procrastinator of the first order) of social observation, searching the Internet, conducting my own (and might I add, very insightful) surveys, and numerous hours of harassing a girlfriend who holds a Masters degree in Early Child Development from Harvard, I have finally found my voice! What started off as a favor to a dear friend has turned into an endeavor I am truly excited to share with all of you.

I may not be a Mom yet, but please know that I see what an incredibly, impossible job it is and I am truly in awe. I am at that stage in life where many of my best friends have kids, so I don’t quite feel like an outsider. I’m certainly in no position to be giving parenting advice, but the thing is I believe it takes more than just parents to love and advocate for a child. The job is simply too big and kids deserve more than that. On that note and for what it’s worth, here’s my contribution, however small! While I won’t be doling out any advice per se, I hope to connect you to some insightful, humorous, often frivolous, yet fun and sometimes controversial, resources. I LOVE a juicy debate and parenting is an area that deserves to be constantly studied and discussed in a forum that is free of judgment and ridicule (oh yes ladies, I know all about the “Judgy Mom” epidemic).

Thank you so much for indulging me and I am very excited to be a part of something so special. I have heard so many wonderful things about all of you momstown Mommies and if all the stories are true, I think this might be the beginning of something very interesting…


This article was written by Courtney Dhaliwal, one of our newest blog contributors. While she's not a mom yet, she is by far the best Aunty one can ask for (and a pretty darn good BFF).

Announcing Our Meals4Mamas Program!

momstown Winnipeg announces the launched a new program called Meals4Mamas. 

Meals4Mamas is one of the benefits of being a momstown Winnipeg member. It provides an opportunity for our members to help one another out when they need it most. Who better to understand the struggles of a new mom then our own members! Meals4Mamas will provide your family meals every other day for two weeks. It is most widely used by our moms who just had babies; however, we will provide meals in the event of a death in the family or major surgery and need the extra assistance.  

Questions running through your head? Hopefully the answer is below:

1. How much time do I need to give the Meals4Mamas coordinator to set up meals?

While the more time, the better, it is understood that things happen and a moment’s notice is all that is given. If you know you’re having a baby, please try to email info.winnipeg@momstown.ca prior to your delivery so we are aware you’ll be in need of meals. If you are in need of meals for a death or illness in the family, then just let us know as soon as you can and we’ll do our best to get the meals set up right away.

2. If I’m on the Meal Maker list, how often do I have to prepare a meal?

You decide how often you can help. If you can make a meal on one of the requested dates, please do and if not, we will catch you next time.

3. What kind of meal should I prepare?

You will receive information about the family’s preferences and allergies when you volunteer to be a Meal Maker.  Please assemble a complete and balanced meal that is enough for the entire family plus leftovers. Some ideas: Chicken and rice casserole, broccoli, rolls, brownies; chili or soup, bagged salad, bread, cookies; barbeque chicken, green beans, baked potatoes, fruit salad

If you are expecting, please email info.winnipeg@momstown.ca.  We will send you a short questionnaire to fill out and then leave the rest to us!

Looking for Mamas who want to volunteer!

If you are interested in being a Meals4Mama Meal Maker, please email info.winnipeg@momstown.ca.  When a meal request is made, we will contact you with instructions.  

Thank you to all the volunteers who are making this program possible. After all, It Takes a Village to raise a child.

Did I Shower Today?

Motherhood is a little chaotic! With one baby you are a complete mess. With two you literally need more hours in a day.

When I had my first little girl, I was so beyond exhausted. Sleepless nights and exhaustion literally hurt my mind and body. I could not function and I was a complete mess. My hormones were crazy. The extreme bleeding that nobody warned me about freaked me out. The leaky boobs! Which again, nobody told me about. And I never clued in for about a month about wearing a bra at night with breast pads. Waking up to soaked shirts and wet sheets is no fun when you are running to feed a baby at 3 am. I can write a list about the tips I wish were really in the baby books. But that's a whole other post.

I now know that I had postpartum depression with my first. My trigger was extreme exhaustion. I never admitted it until after it passed. This time around I know what signs to look out for, and make sure that I get some sleep and some help the moment I feel any depression or extreme anxiety come on. I say extreme anxiety 'cause let's face it. With two kids (both in diapers) you will have anxiety. It's just part of the job description.

The one thing that I find harder this time around is 'me time.' With one baby, you can shower when they nap. Or nap when they nap. But now, if one is napping chances are the other is up. So every once in a while I have to ask myself, 'Did I shower today?' Yup, that's right. Showers don't happen every day. Sometimes sleep is a bit more important then feeling clean. And breakfast? Well I eat, but it is sometimes 11:00 am before I realize it's time for mama to eat. Again sleep, shower or breakfast.... what is more important that day. My husband takes the 5 am fussy baby time so I can get some sleep. So from 5:00 am to 7:30 am I sleep. So when he's out the door going to work, I am just getting up and I'm thrown the kids to deal with. Hence no shower and no breakfast for me. I may not look pretty, or have clean clothes on but I got some sleep. Whatever it takes to make sure I'm a happy mama!

So the saying "it takes a village to raise a child". Well let's just say I embrace it this time around. No more proving I can do this on my own. Evenings and weekends I make sure I get 'me time.' Or in motherhood terms I get to take a shower!