Launch of Mamahood Coffee and Conversation Series by Carolynn Langsdale

​We recently launched our brand new series Mamahood Coffee and Conversation, a forum where moms can connect with others, gain support, and discuss topics relevant to their current lives and it went so well that we really wanted to share about it!
Our inaugural meeting was a tremendous success: we had eleven total attendees all of whom shared their need to connect with other parents and learn from one another. Participants shared a little about their current parenting situations, as well as what they wanted to get from their participation in the group. When asked to share their best parenting quality, the group's answers included: flexibility, creating experiences, structure, patience, and fun. The strengths and skills brought to the table by all the participants was tremendous and demonstrated just how important it was to have a space like this series. Moms asked for future meetings to focus on discipline, co-parenting, and relationships -- issues that affect most parents almost daily.
My name is Carolynn Langsdale, and as a child and family psychologist (as well as a parent and a member of our CIL leadership team) the importance of these kinds of connections and caring spaces is in the forefront of my mind both personally and professionally. When I gave a series of talks last year about parenting, it was clear that folks wanted to connect with one another as parents and find strength in one another. I have been working with parents and children since the very beginning of my mental health career and it has been and incredibly rewarding path for me, and fits so well with the mission of CIL. People are at their best not just when they are handed solutions by experts or professionals, but when they find their own solutions and a space like this series allows parents to figure out what will work for their family.
The warmth and optimism of the moms at the table was heartwarming, and a clear reminder of why building community and supports is so vital to parenthood: we cannot do this alone -- we are stronger together.
The space around our group was filled with both laughter and frustration as everyone shared their parenting challenges and recognized their own struggles in others. Even after the official close of the event, several moms stayed back just to socialize with others and continue the feelings of support and care.
Mamahood Coffee and Conversation meets the second and fourth Thursdays from 6:30 to 8:00 pm at Zocalo Coffee House in San Leandro. The group is member-directed and facilitated by members of our leadership team. As with all CIL event, parents are more than welcome to bring their children to these meetings (and several did!).

We hope that anyone in need of this kind of support will join us!