Today is Family Day in Ontario. Last year was my first Family Day with T and it was extremely special to be able to spend the day with my little immediate family. This year, I wanted to reflect on my extended family and the friends I have made who have become part of my village and mom tribe.

{My Village and Mom Tribe}

Counting On Your Village and Mom Tribe

I know that T relies on me for everything. That thought can be both really fulfilling but also overwhelming. Your village and mom tribe should consist of people that “get you” and can be there for emotional and physical support; but they should also love your little one as their own.

Although we don’t want to think about it, there may be a time when we can’t always be there for our babies. If there’s an emergency or sickness, it’s important to have people you can count on to give your little ones comfort and hugs in your absence.

Mothers holding their babies is of course the best thing in the world; unfortunately, it’s not always possible such as when a newborn baby is placed in NICU.  As a Huggies No Baby Unhugged Ambassador I’m so proud to be associated with the No Baby Unhugged Hospital initiative. Studies show that skin-to-skin contact during the first moments of life has huge healing benefits. This is especially important for the more than 500 babies who are admitted to NICU each year. Huggies provides funding to support volunteer hugging programs at several Canadian hospitals.

T is a full-fledged toddler now but there are still many benefits of hugging. Hugs make children feel secure, loved and comforted. I know that if there’s ever a moment where I can’t be there for T someone in my village and mom tribe will do their best to love and hug him just as much as I do.

My Village, My Family

A village can be anyone in your circle that provides support to you; from bringing you food when you can’t get out, occupying the little one for a couple hours, to being there as a shoulder to lean on. My extended family has been a great support to me. T’s grandparents on both sides help as much as they can, and I can see how much he loves them too!

My brother is always keeping T occupied when we visit, and he cooks up amazing meals for me to take home (yay leftovers!). My sister-in-law has been a godsend – she’s been there for moral support and she loves spending time with T which makes me incredibly happy that he has an amazing aunt in his life.

Close Friends

Your closest friends are of course going to be a huge support to you. In my case, most of my friends have older kids since T was a late blessing. Those that do have kids around T’s age live a bit further away or didn’t have the benefit of maternity leave. Of course, we chat and message each other but our kids don’t get to play as often together as we would like. So, although I don’t get to see my friends often I know that they are there for me whenever I need emotional support. When we CAN get together, it makes our moments with our kids even more special!

New Friends

Most surprising to me are the moms that I have met in the past year or so. When I thought of a village and mom tribe I expected it to mean people already in your life. Fellow moms that have “been there and done that” and girls that you have known forever. Since most of my friends weren’t on maternity leave, it was really important for me to get out and make new friends.

In the beginning it was scary! I felt like I was going to a new school or was dating! Luckily, through attending some Mommy Connections classes and joining a very active Facebook group called Mamas & Minis I’ve met some AMAZING ladies who are the centre of my village and mom tribe.

Even though maternity leave is officially over, we still see each other regularly at play dates and keep in contact almost daily through the group. And since all of them are in my neighborhood I feel so much comfort knowing that if I needed care for T in a pinch someone will be able to help me out.

Being a parent is a really tough gig. Having a village and mom tribe of people that are there for you when you really need them is invaluable.

This post was sponsored by Huggies® Canada and inspired by the #NoBabyUnhugged program. As always, all opinions are my own.