Mothers' are the most important resource we have -- they quite literally hold the future in their hands. Yet, while the concept of motherhood is generally held in high esteem, the reality is that motherhood is entered into today with little support, training or preparation. All but gone are the close knit neighborhoods and nearby extended families of generations past. Women entering motherhood today are often beset with intense feelings of isolation and uncertainty. What they need is reassurance, good information and a connection to others with whom they can share their new experiences and gain insight.
– National Association of Mothers Centers

Kajiji Girls was started back in February of ’06 with the clear purpose of fulfilling a relational, spiritual, emotional need for stay-at-home moms. Hearkening back to my original letter in forming the group, I wrote:

I want our lives to reflect society “in centuries past” where we “work together, have babies together, cook and can together,” etc. I want us to be there for each other and love each other and care for each other. I want us all to discuss ideas together, give each other parenting tips and help each other to become better wives, mothers and, most of all, women!

I feel that we’ve done that certainly to some extent over the past 20 months, and the relationships and conversations we’ve developed over that time period has been amazing! This season I want Kajiji Girls to be more, do more and offer more. I want this group to be such a necessary resource for all of us that we can’t imagine not having it. This doesn’t mean that you make sure you show up every Friday morning for our gatherings. It doesn’t mean you are burdening your calendar with more activities and responsibilities.

To me, it means creating an environment where:

• we see ourselves as a sisterhood,
• we care for and depend on each other when needs arise and
• where fun and joy exist in abundant amounts for both us individually and with our children.

I’m very excited about the possibilities for this group and what we can create together. I have some new ideas of what this group could look like and could offer, and I’d like to run them by you. My hope is that you’ll use these ideas as a springboard in helping you to formulate exactly what you would like to see this group be for you, what it can offer you. You’re going to have some time to think about it and then I want to hear from you.

Weekly group to include:

• Prayer
• Topics to discuss
• Opportunities for others to showcase their skills, talents or businesses such as in a Titus 2 fashion
• Having guest speakers
• Co-ops such as cooking, cleaning, etc.
• Service Projects (Charities, “home parties”, community, each other)
• Craft Days or bring your own project to work on
• Having & maintaining a lending library
• Parenting magazines
• Books
• CD's
• DVD's
• Include extracurricular events:
• Food & a Flick Nights
• Homeschool/Field Trips
• Moms-Only Outings
  

Now if you can imagine a group of women that you’re involved in, what would the ultimate purpose of the group be? If there was one resource group you looked to and relied on, what would it do for you?

Now I’m not saying I think this group can be everything to all women, but if we could create a group that was almost everything to most women, what would that group look like to you?

If you help a mother love her life, you will help a family. And as families go, so goes society. 1

Some things to ponder... Those of you at the initial meeting last Friday came up with some great ideas that I hope we can implement. I look forward to us discussing this more as well as helping to create this group to be all that it can be.

Blessings,

Crystal

1. What Every Mother Needs to Know by Dr. Brenda Hunter

I only do this until I get dizzy &

then I lay down on my back &

watch the clouds, she said.

It sounds simple but

you won’t believe how many people

forget the second part.¹

Dear Kajijis (or Kajiji Girls-to-be),

I hope your summer was lazily refreshing, wildly fun and/or a little bit of both. Now that school has started, and there’s a chill in the air reminding us that Fall is almost here, our calendars have already started filling up very quickly. It’s very easy for us to start “spinning out of control” and forgetting priorities; namely our faith, family and friends. With all the “to-do lists”, extracurricular activities, church events, volunteer opportunities, and work schedules, let’s just take a look-see at your calendar and find the blocked out squares of Time Off, Fun Days, or Play Time for YOU!

Come join a group of mothers just like you who have busy lives, energetic children and the need for some downtime. Play hooky one morning a week, and come fellowship with other moms who share your dreams, frustrations, and day-to-day experiences. Every week we gather together to share laughs, concerns, opinions, food and life in general. Every week brings a discussion about various topics affecting our life – from finances to sex to self-esteem to parenting. And though I would encourage you to put Kajiji Girls on your calendar each week, I want to stress that this group is for you and your children’s enjoyment, not just another burdensome scheduled activity that ends up on your to-do list. We provide a very casual, “drop-in”/come when you want, relaxing environment. Everyone is invited so feel free to bring other moms who are looking for some refreshing, friendly, playful downtime where children are always welcome. So as the world spins around us, let’s take a moment, catch our breath and remember to lay down and watch the clouds!

Join us starting on

Friday, September 28^th

from around 10am – Noon

Erin’s Home 2

Refreshments, Coffee & Tea provided.

Check out our online blog at http://kajijigirls.blogspot.com/

where you can read about us, peruse past postings and feel welcomed to join us.

Crystal

1. From StoryPeople by Brian Andreas
2. If you would like to join us and need directions, please feel free to email me, and I'll send them right off to you!