Please won’t you support Teen Mom Support Group KZN.  Help me spread the word and reach as many  people as we can.

We are on FB and twitter as well.  On the right sidebar is the logo, if you click on it, it will take you straight to the website.

Thanx

I thought it was time for Teen Mom Support to move to it’s own special place. It’s taken quite a while but we finally have a new and shiny space just for the support group.

http://www.teenmomsupportkzn.co.za/

Please take a moment and pop over there. I would love to hear your opinions. If you have any suggestions or ideas please let me know.

I will definitely add and change things as they need to be done but in the mean time I am super proud of how it came out. Now that we look all fancy I hope that everyone will support us! Nothing like creating a good impression on the first day

So wat do you think? Will it work?

I set the date of 2 April for our first Young Moms Support group meet and I was so nervous. In the days leading up to it I was so busy and yet all I could think about was ‘what if no one comes?’ or even worse ‘what if only one person comes’. It seems I had no reason to worry.

Thanks to the great article in the ‘Highway Mail’ just a few days before I was sure someone would be there. The paper came out on Wednesday and by the end of the day I had had so many calls and emails. Of course it was pretty short notice for many but I was assured that they would love to be at the next one.


On Saturday we had 4 mommies. It was fantastic. We spoke and laughed and shared. There was no judgement or holding back. When one spoke the others were nodding in agreement. They all just got it! I struggle with words to explain how I felt afterwards. I felt so small and insignificant – but in a good way. I felt so full and big – in a good way.There were moments where I thought “this is it! This is the moment when change happens”. Like I said, hard to find the words. The only word that seems fitting is amazing! (**photo: Moms with only one little one while the others were all napping**)

Of course, now that the first one is done and dusted I am actively trying to plan and work on the second one. Needless to say I need to ask a few favours. I know, I know…it seems to be all I am doing lately. Honestly, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t necessary. If it wasn’t for the absolute best cause.


Firstly, anyone with some photoshop skills? I would really love if someone could help us out with a logo. One that is just for us. Nothing fancy or complicated. In fact something a little arb and black would be perfect!!! Full credit will be given of course!


ANY donations. Nothing is too small. Food, clothes, toys, nappies, bottles, dummies. Some of these young moms really are in need. Also some toys for our littlest ones to play with while we are at the meets will be fantastic.



I know this is dreaming big but I would love love love some t-shirts. If anyone knows of someone who can sponsor us some t-shirts or can have them printed or even know someone that I could speak to. It really would make these ladies feel like they belong and of course it would be a fantastic ‘marketing’ tool to help with donations as well!! I am also going to be spending some time at our local hospitals and the antenatal clinics. T-shirts would really help with this!


ANY suggestions, ideas or contacts. I really would appreciate any ideas on how to spread the word and make this HUGE!!! If you have any ideas or contacts please let me know. If you have some pull or have loads of people that listen to you. PLEASE tell them about us.
Please please please go on over to Tracy and show her some love. She is so amazing and inspirational. You won’t be sorry!!

The date has been set…..

That’s right, we are going to have our very first Young Moms Support Group meeting. I am so scared that I am going to be the only one sitting there, or even worse, that only one person will show up. So please friends and followers, can you help me spread the word? Please save me from being the only person there.

I have taken care of snacks. I still need to find some toys and activities for the kiddies while they are here. Is there anything that I have forgotten?

If you can, please help me spread the word. If there is anything else you can help with or any ideas / suggestions please let me know.

Hold thumbs!!!

After my last post I have been trying to work on all the plans for the support group. I drove around and went to loads of clinics and a hospital or two and got some great responses. I also emailed everyone I know and could think of help me get the word out.

Unfortunately I had car trouble and it has been standing to get fixed for going on 3 weeks now. It has seriously limited me in what I can do. I had decided on a date to have our first meeting but I am starting to think that I need to push it out a bit more.

I guess being sick since the weekend hasn’t been the best thing to happen to me

For a while now I have been wanting to do something to make a difference. I hear of all the places where a difference could be made but I have often thought “I can’t do that”, “How can I possibly make a difference there” or even “oh I am sure someone else will do that”. I am sure many of us have thought or felt that way before. I felt the urge to do something but always felt too insignificant to really make a difference.

A couple of months ago I read this post by Tracy. I was so moved that I just had to get in touch with her. She is a busy, working mom and here she is making a difference. Not just thinking about but actually doing it. After a few email exchanges she assured me that I can do it. She gave me some great advice and tips and encouraged me. I have been following her progress and I see the difference she is making. I am finally ready to make a difference myself

I am not a teen mom and I can’t for one minute imagine how hard it must be but Tracy said something in the same blog post that really caught my attention. it is something I firmly believe in. I quote:

“ Young moms are often ostracised completely, or more subtly excluded from the usual “moms and tots” kind of activities. Feeling alone as a first time mom can be devastating, especially if you’re a teenager who may have lost many of her friends as well.

And as I’ve said a GAZILLION times: A mom who feels like she’s doing a good and important job, who’s mothering is VALUED by her family and community – will always be better for her children.“- Tracy Engelbrecht

Isn’t that profound and absolutely true?

So here is the deal. Tracy and I have sort of teamed up and I am going to be organising a Young/Teen Mom Support Group in our area. It is something I think is so important and will make such a huge difference. Not only for these moms but for their children in the long run as well. I am going to start with just a get together with snacks to chat and get to know each other. The goal is to grow this little group into something much bigger. I want to create support for moms in every aspect. Both Tracy and I have similar goals for these groups.

• We want to be able to offer practical support like food hampers (for the family), second hand baby clothes and toys, toiletries, nappies and even bottles etc.
• We want to offer them information. Information about their children, schooling and education. Teaching them skills and helping with employment opportunities.
• We want to offer them guidance, inspire and empower them. We want to get people to come and talk about everything from baby care to career options.
• We want to help with child care so that they have the opportunity to work or go to school and study.
• We want to offer a place where they can just be them. Where they can talk about their problems or share their joys. Ask for or give advice.
• and way way more!!!

I am really passionate about this and have started handing out flyers and putting up notices. My most important task right now is to get the word out. I do want to be prepared however so I am trying really hard to get the other aspects of it lined up as well. Here dear friends is where I am going to ask for your help. There are a few things I can use your help with.

• Please help me get the word out. If you are someone or know someone that could use a group like this please get in touch with me. I don’t need a full house to get started but the more people we can reach the better.
• I could really use some help with donations. Second hand clothes and toys. Toiletries. Food. Snacks and activities for the kiddies at the meetings. If you are someone who would like to come and talk to the ladies about something please get in touch. I know it is alot to ask when everyone is feeling the pinch. If I could manage to do this all out of my own pocket I absolutely would but there is just no way I can. Even the littlest bit will make a difference.

So please if you can help in any way please let me know. If you can tell just one person I am sure the word will get to the young moms.

I am in the Durban area. You can contact me on [email] Honeyza@me.com

If you are in the Cape area and could possibly help Tracy please follow the link to her blog or mail her on tracy@tracyengelbrecht.com.

I will update here as soon as the ball gets rolling!

Thank you SO much!