Meeting the Moms: Meghan Crabb

1. How long have you been attending MOPS?

About four years, I think. Katie Gonzalez introduced me to the group shortly after I had Phoenix. It's been challenging for me to get as involved as I'd really like to, because I share a car with my husband who is a travelling salesman, but when I am able to make it to things I always have a great time & enjoy the company :-) My kids both LOVE going to MOPS and playing with their friends!

2.If you had a 25th hour in your day without your children present, what would you do (aside from napping)?

I would hang out with my husband, go out and do something fun with him!

3.What you have found to be the best "product" (toy, food, etc) for kids?

Moby Wrap, for sure. I love the thing. It's only useful for a short amount of time but it is a LIFESAVER during those few months.

4.What is the best parenting advice you ever received?

To turn off the TV. (Thanks Jessi!!) ... My TV Free days are the best thing that's ever happened to our family. I'm so, so, so thankful for Jessi's presentation last year and the effect that it's had on our family life!!!

5. What has been the hardest thing about parenting for you? What have you enjoyed the most?

The hardest part is staying calm. It's so easy to get frantic, busy, distracted, upset, and even angry about things that in the long run aren't really all that important. I have a hard time slowing down and enjoying the moment.

My favorite part about parenting is simply the fulfillment that comes from laying down your life for another person (people). It is truly the most satisfying thing in the world to know at the end of every day that I have done the absolute best I can (most days...) to give my children everything they need to thrive and grow into awesome adults. I love watching them grow up...My heart is just so FULL!

6. Any recommendations on Boston area kid-friendly places?

That new play structure at Faxon Park is pretty awesome... it's local and easy to get to. Also the Braintree Splash Pad.

Of course, nothing beats a day on the Common in the summertime. :-)

Meeting the Moms: Sheby Rajiv

 

1. How long have you been attending MOPS?

Its been 2 years now.

2.If you had a 25th hour in your day without your children present, what would you do (aside from napping)?

I would contact my friends whom I haven't heard from in a while -either call them or at least send them an email.

 

3.What you have found to be the best "product" (toy, food, etc) for kids?

Haven't come across any particular product as being exceptional.

Both my children love to play with empty big card board boxes- they use this as pretend house, shop, play pen,school.... and what not....after they play with it we fold it and keep it under the couch.

 

4.What is the best parenting advice you ever received?

Kids will be okay even if they skip/do not eat one meal properly. ( I used to be paranoid about my kids and their eating until my husband gave me this advice).
 

5. What has been the hardest thing about parenting for you? What have you enjoyed the most?

I guess the hardest thing is to be patient with my kids. It is easy to get angry but it is important to be patient with kids and at times i have found this difficult.

 

I really enjoy doing crafts with them including large (1000 piece) jigsaw puzzles.

6. Favorite fill in the blank (food, place, song, book, movie, etc).

food....I really enjoy Mexican food...which is my new favorite food.

song.... change my heart oh lord.

book.. Good Morning Holy Spirit by Benny Hinn

movie.... Top Gun (maybe because Tom Cruise is in it)

 

7. Any recommendations on Boston area kid-friendly places?

Boston Bowl at Hanover- have free bowling for kids in the summer with coupons.Kids enjoyed it and it is a fun activity.

8. Anything else you might like us to know?

I recently found out that I have a hidden talent in making jewelry. This is something that I really enjoy and have started selling some of my handiwork.

Meeting the Moms: Kristen Clancy

Hopefully many of you got to know Kristen a little better at our speed friending event last week. Here are a few more facts about her and her girls:

1. How long have you been attending MOPS?

I joined in January of 2011, my girls were just 17 mths. and 2 mths. and I had barely left the house on my own since the youngest was born. My neighbor made me go and I have been a member ever since.

2.If you had a 25th hour in your day without your children present, what would you do (aside from napping)?

It depends on the season. Now with the fall weather here I would get a grande vanilla latte from Starbucks, light the fire place in our living room, wrap myself in a blanket and watch a good movie with my husband!

3.What you have found to be the best "product" (toy, food, etc) for kids?

There are so many great products on the market. If you asked my kids they would say LEGOs. However, what has made my life easier are the Summer Sleep Sacks. I used them with all three of my girls from birth, the older two until they were really rolling and moving in the crib. It may be my luck that I have good sleepers but all of my girls have been sleeping a minimum of 7 hours, straight through the night, starting at 8 weeks.

4.What is the best parenting advice you ever received?

Enjoy it! We all hear it and when you are in the thick of it it seems hard to enjoy it! It is hard enough to make it through a day. My first two girls are 15 months apart, we truly just survived each day but now with Gemma I'm trying to slow down time and enjoy the little moments.

5. What has been the hardest thing about parenting for you? What have you enjoyed the most?

I have a type "A" personality so now that my girls want to do it their way and deviate from my carefully thought-out plan, I am having a tough time. However, with this age also comes their ability to communicate more easily and with purpose. I love to hear them talk about their day, their friends, their ideas, how they tell a story and how they view the world. (Just as long as all this talking is not happening after 8 pm)!

6. Favorite fill in the blank (food, place, song, book, movie, etc).

The beach, particularly Coast Guard Beach in Eastham. It may be the nostalgia from growing up and spending my summers there but I find it completely tranquil!

7. Any recommendations on Boston area kid-friendly places?

Home Depot and Lowes....

Yes, I know, ODD! But my girls love going to the building programs that they have monthly and bi-monthly respectively. The programs are free and it is a great activity to do with Moms, Dads, Grandparents, etc. For me, it is also teaching my girls that they can do anything boys can.

8. Anything else you might like us to know?

I am originally from the Midwest, growing up in a town 30 miles northwest of Chicago. I spent my summers with my aunt and uncle on the Cape and fell in love. When I was in my early 20's I had the opportunity to live and work in London and when I returned to the US I knew at some point I would move to Boston. Right after my husband and I got engaged he accepted a job out here and we moved knowing only each other. That was an adventure! It was not until 3.5 years later that I joined MOPS - however, many of my closest friends have been or are current members here at MOPS of Quincy. MOPS has helped me to see and feel my worth as more than "just a mom" but as a wife, friend, daughter, sister and woman.

Meeting the Moms: Tiffany L

At our next MOPS Meeting on October 9th, we will have the opportunity to get to know each other better by sitting down one one one with "speed friending"! In case you don't get paired up with Tiffany during that time, here is a little more about her....

 

1. How long have you been attending MOPS?

 

 I have been attending Quincy MOPS for a year and a half now. Before that, I had another super awesome MOPS group for 3 years in PA.

 

2.If you had a 25th hour in your day without your children present, what would you do (aside from napping)?

 

Read. In all honesty, probably really light chick-lit because I have a hard time following anything too complex these days. I would love a well rested 25th hour to read some classic literature!
 

3.What you have found to be the best "product" (toy, food, etc) for kids?

 

Minivan. We were die hard "NO MINIVANers." But with baby # 3, we broke down. Love that thing!
 

4.What is the best parenting advice you ever received?

 

I can't think of anything specific. I actually love parenting advice and soak it up like a sponge! And I even enjoy all of the unsolicited advice I get from strangers. Apparently something about seeing me and my brood in public screams "HELP ME NOW!"
 

5. What has been the hardest thing about parenting for you? What have you enjoyed the most?

 

Hardest thing: It was hard for me to come to terms with the fact that my strengths and gifts aren't the same as those of my children. Accepting that can be tricky for me. Best thing: The snuggles.
 

6. Favorite fill in the blank (food, place, song, book, movie, etc).

 

Favorite foods: Cheeseburgers and Nutella. Not together, of course.
 

7. Any recommendations on Boston area kid-friendly places?

 

We just did the Fly-In breakfast in Hanson (on the recommendation of another MOPS Mom) and wow, did we love it! http://www.eaa279.org/279breakfast/breakfast.htm
 

8. Anything else you might like us to know?

 

I met three of my best friends through MOPS and I am excited to build real relationships with more moms. No pressure or anything ;-).