WITH AN INFLUX OF VERY YOUNG FAMILIES TO THE JERSEY SHORE, DSN PUT TOGETHER A SLEW OF EVENTS FOR MOTHERS AND THEIR INFANTS. THE RESPONSE WAS TREMENDOUS.
DSN is reflective of the community’s needs in real-time, so naturally, babies are in the mix! In December, multiple “New Moms Meetups” were offered. These are morning programs where babies arrive in the arms of their moms, who all then socialize and engage in exciting activities such as painting and yoga. Painting includes edible food-safe veggie paint where babies create their first works of art on canvases, mess free! During yoga, babies crawl off and on the mats, while moms endure a relaxing mind/body workout.
First-time mother Jacqueline Cohen Ades was thrilled. “DSN’s Mommy Meetups are a great way to meet other new moms in the community, as well as sharing advice and challenges about raising our children.”
These events include lunch, along with fun games, such as Baby Trivia, where multiple-choice questions are posed, such as “How many bones do newborns have at birth?” and “What percentage of babies are born on their actual due date?” DSN, known for its epic prize-giving, awarded Target gift cards and diapers to very excited winners. Healthy lunches were provided by Nicole’s Kitchen, while DSN served baby packets and snacks for the kids. For those interested, a baby is born with about 300 bones and only 5% of babies are born on their due date.
New mom Nancy Beyda was delighted, stating, “It’s so fun to get together at DSN with other moms and their babies and enjoy a new activity together. I love it!”
In January, DSN enthusiast and mother Raquel Laniado put together a “Raq and Roll Baby Music” for a 5 session program. Each week, a special theme drew the attention of mother and baby alike. On Animal Day, the stories and songs reflected some of our favorite animals of the wild. On Pajama Day the babies came dressed in their colorful pajamas. DSN supplied brand new mats, toys, drums, and other equipment to provide the little ones with the best experience possible.
Raquel explained, “DSN is a wonderful place that families can trust with their precious babies. The tot rooms are perfect for intimate classes that are clean and heavily sanitized for moms to feel comfortable and for babies to have the best time!” She concludes her classes with lotion and a baby massage for each little one, so that they can go home and drift peacefully into a nice, long nap. How perfect!
Caleigh Silvera, DSN’s Adult Program Director, stated, “As a mother myself, I see the huge benefits these programs have on both a mother and child. Watching babies explore the world at DSN and seeing mothers leave as friends is incredibly rewarding. It is nice to find a community within a community where people at a similar stage in life can meet and share accomplishments in child-raising.”
DSN’s Executive Director Sammy Sitt concluded, “It’s super exciting when we are able to cater to a new group within our growing community. It’s clear that the number of young mothers with infants is on the rise. This new programming is critical to bringing them together where they can meet and socialize. Plus, the infants are benefiting cognitively and emotionally from all the engaging activities. From infants all the way up to our seniors, DSN will keep life exciting for the greatest community!”
