Thrive Update: Week 7

Charlotte (middle) with two other ladies during our summer camping trip

Charlotte (middle) with two other ladies during our summer camping trip

Hello!  I am Charlotte Toney, a Thrive facilitator and new Young Families team member as of June 2017.

I describe Thrive like a plant. All types of plants have different needs, sometimes they can be over watered, dried out or over exposed to the sun. We have to learn how to care for the variety of plants and their specific needs so they can thrive and stand strong. Thrive is like this to me, a place to discover, a place to find out what we need to grow strong, what are our weaknesses, where we are rooted, and what we are standing for. With a community of students and staff, it is place to discover our value, a place of hope and a place designed to encourage women holistically. 

Each week, we spend time reflecting and noticing the areas we have been encouraged in or thankful for, or what I like to call, "Stop To Spot It".  It is a time to stop where we are in the moment to spot the goodness. I take great joy in hearing what these woman have to say. Today, a woman bravely acknowledged another participant by name. There is power in being encouraged or encouraging others and I think the act of naming the person we are thankful for greatly lifts up that person and grows us in our vulnerability. I love witnessing this community of participants speak light and life into each other.

I look forward to continuing in this journey alongside these strong women who are stepping into new language for their lives everyday.

Thank you for all your support!

- Charlotte

Thrive Update: Week 6

Charlene, Caeden, and Cindy (a YU staff member) at this summer's Year End Picnic

Charlene, Caeden, and Cindy (a YU staff member) at this summer's Year End Picnic

Hi, I’m Charlene and I am twenty years old. I have a super happy-go-lucky one year old son named Caeden. I started Thrive in September along with five other amazing moms and their children.

    Thrive to me is a support network in the form of a program.  Thrive helps young moms like myself find their dreams and goals for the future and figure out ways to accomplish them. Thrive is a way for us moms to form connections with each other and make new friends. I came to Thrive without knowing a lot about myself or knowing how to handle emotions in my everyday life. Before Thrive, I was constantly struggling to be the best mom I could be for my son. I have learned so much about myself at Thrive and continue to learn more about myself and those around me each day.

     I was uncertain what Thrive would be like when I first went. I started off quite anxious and scared, however, it’s now become a really safe, caring and loving place for me. I love to go there. My son absolutely loves the childcare staff and they are amazing with him and really open with us as mothers which I love.

    This week during Thrive I learned a lot about myself not just as a mom but as my own person. I learned that’s its okay to trust and be open with those around me. I learned that not everyone in my life will judge me for my past mistakes or the ones I may make in the future before they happen. I have learned so many useful strategies that help me with mindfulness when I feel like I am struggling. Before Thrive, I use to be one of those people who are constantly on their phone or checking it, but the past week I was taught a valuable lesson about being on my phone too much and the impact it will have on my son. I have been able to cut my phone time down which I never thought I would do. Now that I am no longer on my phone a lot I have so many great moments with Caeden.

    My highlight of the week is lunch time with the other moms and their kids. I love how we have conversations and laugh with each other instead of having an awkward silence. We even talk to each other’s children and make faces with the babies. We trust each other with our children. If someone has to run and grab something, someone else will watch the child and sometimes convince them to eat their food. I miss some parts of lunch when I put my son down for his nap but I don’t feel weird that I missed part of the conversation because we are all friends and the conversation will possibly get laughed about upstairs. We all have a very good understanding of my son and the other kid’s needing a nap.  I think this is important for us because it frees us to miss lunch to put our kids down for a nap without feeling like we are not part of the group.

     Thank you for helping us create such good connections with each other and supporting us through this journey.

- Charlene

 

Thrive Update: Week 5

3 of the 5 childcare staff!

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!

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

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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