momstown's Alphabet Play program - a great foundation for early literacy learning

momstown chapters offer a full range of early education-based, whole child-focused programming that seek to connect moms in their own local communities.

We base all of our programming and events on six pillars and a teacher-designed curriculum plan. We cater to ages 0-6, starting right from the early days home with a newborn, all the way up to school-agers participating in weekend family events.

 

alphabet play program

 

momstown's Alphabet Play program falls into our Literacy pillar. Designed around simple crafts, each month this program explores a different letter of the alphabet through stories, play, and crafts!

 

alphabet play programThese little crafters told letter n goodnight with a sleeping cap and stars!

 

alphabet play program

A is for Alphabet with momstown Guelph's toddlers and preschoolers!

 

alphabet play program

momstown Burlington made o's into owls - adorable and with a great sensory element, too!

 

You can find many more examples of momstown's early literacy and alphabet crafts here - but there's no better way to experience them than with your local chapter!

 

With so many momstown programs on the calendar (20+ a month in each chapter!) there's no better time than now to join your local momstown community and start taking advantage of all of the early education programming we have to offer. For only $45/yr you have access to all of our in-person programs, online message boards, member discounts, and more. We're connecting Canadian moms, and we'd love for you to join us.

 

Click here to find a chapter in your community, or find out more about how you can bring momstown to your city.

Posted by momstown team on 03/26/2013 - 21:02
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momstown's Fitness programs - mama and me fitness, stroller walks, fitness demos, and more!

momstown chapters offer a full range of early education-based, whole child-focused programming that seek to connect moms in their own local communities.

We base all of our programming and events on six pillars and a teacher-designed curriculum plan. We cater to ages 0-6, starting right from the early days home with a newborn, all the way up to school-agers participating in weekend family events.

 

fitness momstown

 

momstown's Fitness & Adventure pillar speaks to the whole family - and we offer programs that support fitness goals big and small.

Many chapters kick off the year with a Fitness Challenge that introduces moms to the many fitness offerings in their communities. Mama and me fitness programs may include demo yoga, zumba, or pilates classes that involve both moms and their tots.

 

momstown brampton fitness

momstown Brampton is hosted by a local bootcamp studio - a great way to try out community fitness programs.

 

fitness momstownmomstown Central-Alberta goes park-hopping!

 

edmonton olympics momstownmomstown Edmonton hosts a mom and tot Olympics to get everyone active!

 

Of course, our Sip & Stroll events and frequent park outings are also great ways to get yourself and your little ones active, all while connecting with moms in your community.

 

With so many momstown programs on the calendar (20+ a month in each chapter!) there's no better time than now to join your local momstown community and start taking advantage of all of the early education programming we have to offer. For only $45/yr you have access to all of our in-person programs, online message boards, member discounts, and more. We're connecting Canadian moms, and we'd love for you to join us.

 

Click here to find a chapter in your community, or find out more about how you can bring momstown to your city.

Posted by momstown team on 03/26/2013 - 20:52
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Where is momstown this month - April 2013 find momstown at events, shows, and business conferences

momstown is busy every day in communities across Canada, delivering early education programming and connecting moms and kids in their own neighbourhoods.

 

But we're also leaders in the communities we serve, making connections at major consumer and business events every month.

 

This April, you'll find momstown at business conferences and consumer shows - here are some of the highlights of where you can find us this month! .

 

wibnAnn-Marie Burton will be a featured speaker at the Women in Biz Network Conference  in Toronto on April 15th.

 

Our chapter communities have lots on the go this month - you'll find them showcasing their chapters, giving away great prizes, including some from our great partners Fisher-Price and Scholastic!

 

bump baby toddler hamilton

momstown Hamilton will be at the Bump, Baby, and Toddler Expo in Hamilton on April 6th.

 

because kids grow

momstown Oakville will be at the Because Kids Grow sale in Oakville on April 6th.

 

nutured baby expo

momstown Brampton will be at the Nutured Baby Show in Orangeville on April 6th.

 

welcome wagon baby show

 

momstown Kitchener-Waterloo will be at the Welcome Wagon Baby Shower in Cambridge on April 7th.

 

momstown Newmarket-Aurora will be at the Welcome Wagon Baby Shower in Newmarket on April 10th.

 

kidfest ottawa

momstown Ottawa will be at Kidsfest in Ottawa on April 13-14th.

 

momstown georgina

momstown Georgina will be at the Bradford Town & Country Living show in Bradford on April 13th,

 

york region young at heart expo

and at the Young at Heart Expo in Georgina on April 20th.

 

 

rock your bump red deer

momstown Central Alberta will be at the Preschool & Child Expo in Red Deer on April 13th, and at the Rock You Baby Bump Expo in Red Deer on April 20th.

 

momstown Newmarket-Aurora will be hosting the Aurora Mom to Mom sale on April 21st in Aurora - click here for more details.

 

 

babytime show

 

Meet our new momstown Toronto team and our other GTA chapters at the Toronto Babytime Show on April 26-28th at the International Centre in Mississauga.

 

babies tots and you London

momstown London will be at the Babies, Tots, and You show in London on April 28th.

 

We can't wait to meet you!

 

Posted by momstown team on 03/26/2013 - 18:55
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Reasons to Join Shoppers Dug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers

Looking for a way to make a difference this year? Join the 2013 Shoppers Drug Mart Weekend to End Women’s Cancers benefiting The Campbell Family Institute at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

A one or two-day  walk throughout Toronto on September 7-8th, is the largest women’s cancers fundraiser in Ontario history. The Weekend brings together communities of participants, survivors and their supporters for one common goal: to conquer cancer in our lifetime.

 

weekend to end womens cancer

 

Need more reasons?


1. Supportive Fundraising Community

2013 marks the 11th annual Weekend in Toronto and over the last 10 years, The Weekend has raised more than $133 million, funding innovative research, treatment, and care for women’s cancers at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre.

It’s not uncommon for participants to sign up year after year and build real relationships with other participants. There’s a serious community, rooted in the same cause, who participate and continue to donate their time and efforts annually.

Walkers will be supported by hundreds of volunteers and crew members, providing meals, water and snack stops, portable restrooms, safety on the course, comprehensive medical services and an overnight campsite complete with tents, hot showers and entertainment. That’s a community in action!

 

2. Women’s Health

Women’s cancers will impact most of us either directly or indirectly. 1 in 7 Canadian women will be diagnosed with breast or gynaecologic cancer in their lifetime. This year in Canada, it is estimated that approximately 31,000 women will be diagnosed with breast or gynecological cancer, and over 8,000 will die from the disease.

We need to help fellow women battle these illnesses.


3. For someone you know

With 1 in 7 odds, it’s pretty certain a close friend will be hit by either breast of gynaecologic cancer. This past year a momstown friend was diagnosed with breast cancer, at age 40, and it shocked us all. It’s more common that you think. And it will hit close to home.


4. Charity Feels Good

Your fundraising efforts will support crucial cancer research, clinical enhancements and survivorship programs at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, one of the top 5 cancer research centres in the world, leading the discover and delivery of personalized cancer medicine. That sounds like an organization you get can behind!

 

5. Exercise, Fresh Air & a Tour of Toronto

Over the course of one weekend, thousands of walkers will take to the streets of Toronto, united in this historic movement to end all women’s cancers. If nothing else, it’s a very active weekend with loads of exercise and you’ll see Toronto from a new vantage point. And, there’s even a chance to camp on centre field of Rogers Centre (home of the Blue Jays!) if you’re so inclined!


For more information call (416) 815-WALK (9255) or visit endcancer.ca.

 

Posted by momstown mama on 03/25/2013 - 22:27
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5 reasons you should subscribe to momstown's newsletter - don't miss a thing!

Every day, momstown connects real moms across Canada by providing engaging, quality content on our sites about topics that are important to you - and every month, we wrap it all up into one neat package and send it right to our loyal subscribers.

 

We know your inbox is innundated with emails - some daily! - from businesses and services you love. Why subscribe to the momstown newsletter? What can we offer? We think we offer a whole lot of value - absolutely free - and we've come up with 5 reasons we think you should check out our newsletter each month:

 

momstown newsletter1. Hear from real moms like you.


One of the most popular pieces of the newsletter is the message from our founder, Ann-Marie Burton. She has a way of summing up the month and packing her message chockful of great links and ideas that resonate with real moms across Canada. We also feature the most engaging blogs on our sites and feature the Mabel's Labels mom of the month. We're real moms, just like you, and it's our way to say hello each month and draw you into our conversations!

 

 

momstown arts and crafts

2. Great crafts that real moms can do with their kids

 

These aren't fancy Martha Stewart crafts. These are crafts done by real moms, in their playroom or kitchen, every day. momstown arts & crafts site has over 800 ideas - and most use materials you have in your home already!  Each month, we pull out what's been most popular on our sites and curate them all for you - easy clicks to tutorials and new ideas for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers.

 

 

momstown newsletter

3. Great products reviewed by real moms

 

Word-of-mom is a powerful marketing tool! We test and find products every month, and bring the best of the best to you in one complete package! Check out this section to see what's new, what's hot and what real moms like you are trying out this month.

 

 

momstown newsletter4. Great contests for great products

 

We offer contests with high value, kid and mom approved products from brands like Fisher-Price, Huggies, Scholastic, and many more! Our contest page is updated regularly with new and exciting opportunities to win! And we feature some of our hottest contests in the newsletter, so it's just a click away to enter.

 

 

momstown newsletter5. Fantastic meal ideas for the whole family

 

While our meals site has over 500 recipes and growing daily, we curate the newest and seasonal recipes for you in our newsletter - it's a great way to try a new recipe (they're all mom and kid approved!) or find some inspiration for a holiday or party. One-stop meal planning, all done for you!

 

So what are you waiting for? Subscribe today and take advantage of all momstown has to share. You can unsubscribe at any time, but we really think you'll stay!

 

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Posted by momstown team on 03/21/2013 - 12:03
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momstown cited as a prescription for post-partum depression by University of Waterloo study

momstown communities across Canada are all about connecting real moms, every day, both in person and online, right in local neighbourhoods.  And while many moms will tell you, “it was my moms group that saved me”, for the first time ever, there is a study that shows just how important these groups are to new moms, and their mental health.

 

Researchers at the University of Waterloo recently conducted a study, interviewing members of momstown (www.momstown.ca) from across Canada, to determine the changing support systems and the role “moms groups” play in helping new mothers and growing families adjust to their new lifestyle.

“The findings from this study are significant,” says researcher Diana Parry, PhD. “They demonstrate how powerfully mothers are in need of each other's company yet also how isolated mothers are from one another in today's rapidly changing Canadian culture. These findings underline the need to both explore the reasons why Canadian women are experiencing motherhood as overwhelming and isolating and also investigate how online social networking sites like momstown can help.”


Researchers Diana Parry, PhD, Caitlin Mulcahy and Troy Glover, PhD were taken aback by their findings, especially the sense of isolation and the need for connecting experienced by the mothers in the study. In fact, they found that over 13% of respondents were experiencing post partum depression.

 

“Mom groups do make a difference, for both social and emotional well-being” says Ann-Marie Burton, Founder of momstown.ca. “Our momstown members rely on each other for support and friendship.”

Summaries of two of their findings are below:
 

Mental health support: It’s no secret that more than 80 percent of moms experience the “baby blues”, and about 20 percent develop postpartum depression (PPD).

  • Through participating in momstown, members suffering from PPD were effortlessly able to find other mothers who they could count on for friendship and support. The connections at momstown also helped new moms move beyond surviving to thriving throughout their transition to motherhood.
  • This sentiment is echoed by Anna, a new mother who was interviewed for this study. “A mom group means I have somewhere I can go to feel good about myself. I suffer from postpartum depression and I wouldn't have survived the first year without a group of women that I could talk to and depend on and who could get me out of the house and keep me busy.”


Support for second- and third-time moms: There’s an expectation in our society that second- and third-time moms should be prepared and ready for every baby after their first.

  • momstown knows every stage of parenting can be a challenge and therefore welcomes all moms with kids from zero to six and provides programs that cater to mixed-age groups.


To interview Ann-Marie Burton or Diana Parry to learn more about the critical importance of momstown groups, please contact info@momstown.ca.

Posted by momstown team on 03/21/2013 - 09:44
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