Thrive Update: Week 5

3 of the 5 childcare staff!

Hey from the Thrive Childcare Team!!!  Our names are Ashley, Kendall, Marissa, Gabriella and Becca and we run the kid's program each day !

Thrive is a place for moms to come to a safe learning environment and loving community to gain a wide set of life skills while their kids get to learn and grow with us in childcare!

We have been continuously learning about each child and what makes him or her special and unique.  It is lots of fun!  The kids have been learning and growing over the weeks how to be independent, love one another and play in an environment where we share and put one another first.

Kendall working her magic in childcare!

A highlight has been seeing the kids join in activities all together , grow in friendships with one another, and learn each others names.  We are looking forward to getting to know each other even better and continuing to see the little day to day victories each child has made this season! 

- Thrive Childcare Team

Thrive Update: Week 4

Hello, my name is A and I have one 5 month old daughter named I.  I started Thrive about a month ago with 5 other beautiful girls and their children.

Thrive to me is a group of women that come together to help one another learn about themselves and work through our own versions of hell with each other.  We all came into this not fully knowing what to expect, however, for me, it's become something I look forward to and somewhere I feel safe to express myself and learn.

This week during Thrive, I learned that it's hard to open up about my feelings.  However, everyone is welcoming, has shown that they care about my wellbeing and I know it will help me work through what I am carrying.  Moreover, I've seen how opening up and being vulnerable has helped the other women in Thrive become more determined to live into their passions and values.  So, even though I haven't shared a lot, the people I've surrounded myself with in Thrive make me feel like I want to.  

I look forward to everyday of Thrive!  I'm constantly learning and I get to see my new mommy friends.  Thank you for supporting and encouraging us in this journey!

-A

Thrive Update: Week 3

Hi, my name is MJ and I have a 2 and a half year old named Carmella.  We are participants of Thrive.

Thrive is an amazing program for young mothers and their children to learn, grow and THRIVE!  It is a community of women lifting each other towards a happy future and a wonderful group of childcare workers teaching and encouraging young children to grow with a smile on their face.

Something I learned this week was that it is not wrong to feel like you're going crazy when your baby is crying and won't stop.  It is okay to hold and cuddle them to sleep if that is what they need.  Babies are people and like anyone else, their needs vary depending on the child.

My favourite thing we did this week was mommy and me workouts!  It is so fun to see the little ones busting a move and enjoying healthy exercise.  Thank you to everyone that makes this program possible!

- MJ

Thrive Update: Week 2

Carter (Megan's son)

Hi!  My name is Megan and I am 23.  I have a son named Carter who is 3 years old and I am a participant in the 8th cycle of Thrive.  

To me, Thrive is not only learning how to live your life but it is learning to conquer it.  Finishing week 2 of Thrive, we have learned so much, but most importantly is that we are not alone!  

Last Thursday, while we were in class with Barb (facilitates a mentoring group), we were given the option to open up about our life/past.  Although we are all just getting to know each other, it was like it didn't matter at that point because everyone was more than willing to share.  We were all just supporting each other through it.

I'm realizing through this experience that I want nothing other than to be on the other side of the table one day and help others just as the facilitators and counsellors are helping me.  

So far, my highlight during Thrive is that all of us are opening up to each other and seizing this opportunity that we have been granted.

I am looking forward to the following weeks here at Thrive that we have together.  Thank you to everyone who is supporting us through this adventure!

- Megan