tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post3520086142374946079..comments2024-03-13T23:29:01.111-07:00Comments on Dawn Babb Prochovnic and SmallTalk Learning: Where are the “Mommy and Me Groups” for Parents of Middle Schoolers? -- My Messy BeautifulDawn Babb Prochovnichttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-64467065207375103022014-06-10T19:10:11.086-07:002014-06-10T19:10:11.086-07:00Thanks for your message! I can't tell you how ...Thanks for your message! I can't tell you how reassuring to me that my experience resonates with others. I have heard from so many people who echo your comments. I haven't heard from anyone yet who has started a group, but I will definitely let you know if I do!<br />Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-20618378916250070692014-06-10T13:57:50.092-07:002014-06-10T13:57:50.092-07:00Dawn - I just ran across this blog post and have b...Dawn - I just ran across this blog post and have been looking for a group like this for awhile but they don't exist! MOPS has a Moms Next group for Moms of school age children, but that's mostly geared toward elementary school age. Middle Schoolers are a totally different story....they start a bit in elementary, but oh my does it really kick into high gear once they hit middle school. I've thought about starting my own group, but have had the same concerns brought up here - "are people going to think I'm a bad mom?" "will they tell someone else I'm a bad mom?" "am I the only one dealing with this?" "will topics discussed get back to my daughter and/or her friends and affect her school life, etc?". After reading this I know I'm not the only one - thank you - and would love to hear if anyone sets up a group and how they structure it. Thank you for this post!!!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-36423891107711599742014-04-14T11:52:29.795-07:002014-04-14T11:52:29.795-07:00Hi Meredith. Thanks for taking the time to write! ...Hi Meredith. Thanks for taking the time to write! I've been surprised by how many messages people have sent me about this post. I've yet to hear from anyone who is a part of this type of open, intentional support for this age/stage of parenting. Enjoy your little ones . . . I know it sounds trite, but they will grow up fast!! Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-44457910746939028032014-04-14T11:30:27.902-07:002014-04-14T11:30:27.902-07:00Hello. Was brought here by the Messy, Beautiful W...Hello. Was brought here by the Messy, Beautiful Warrior Project. I am a middle school teacher (8th grade science) and mother of a baby and a toddler. This entry made me laugh! However, I understand that you are completely not joking. Middle school is insane at best. I feel like if parents of 14 year olds were to sit around and share, they would be less forthcoming about the fact that their son/daughter took a snap chat photo of someone using the toilet and then someone took a screen shot of it and tweeted it. I hope these sort of things do exist because I don't know how parents handle these situations without support! Meredithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16375666372958731989noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-57722881323333687012014-04-09T14:44:28.731-07:002014-04-09T14:44:28.731-07:00Thanks for your message, Rachel. The more people I...Thanks for your message, Rachel. The more people I hear from, the more I feel convinced that we should all get something like this started! I'm glad you commented, as it gave me an opportunity to click on your link and read your heartbreaking and beautiful tribute to your daughter. Thank you so much for your courage in sharing your grief and healing process. Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-25920233011063429562014-04-09T13:53:14.141-07:002014-04-09T13:53:14.141-07:00I am not yet a parent of middle schoolers, but I s...I am not yet a parent of middle schoolers, but I sincerely hope that when I am, something like this exists. I am terrified of that season!<br /><br />Thanks for your thoughts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-56194984518075105592014-04-09T13:47:49.559-07:002014-04-09T13:47:49.559-07:00I don't have middle schoolers yet, but I enjoy...I don't have middle schoolers yet, but I enjoyed reading this because I am seriously terrified of that time period. I hope this catches on...I have a feeling I'll need it.<br /><br />Thank you for sharing--and advocating!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-38636143125555242842014-04-08T15:23:14.214-07:002014-04-08T15:23:14.214-07:00Thanks for your comment, Heather. It prompted me t...Thanks for your comment, Heather. It prompted me to follow your link and read your essay for the Messy, Beautiful project. I was inspired by your story and moved by your honesty. Thanks so much for sharing. Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-44758290332210211232014-04-08T14:30:20.531-07:002014-04-08T14:30:20.531-07:00What a wonderful idea! As in any circumstance it&#...What a wonderful idea! As in any circumstance it's best to go through it with the been there done that people. Thanks for sharing this.<br />HeatherAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-91798032537015194622014-04-08T14:28:57.156-07:002014-04-08T14:28:57.156-07:00Oh my gosh YES! This would be awesome. I think in ...Oh my gosh YES! This would be awesome. I think in any stage, going through it with others in the same boat is so important. There's humor there and i can't believe we're surviving this and tips to get through tomorrow and all of that. What a wonderful idea.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-29796734769315750292014-04-08T10:48:45.259-07:002014-04-08T10:48:45.259-07:00Thanks for your message, Jen. We are our own worst...Thanks for your message, Jen. We are our own worst critics, aren't we? I hope you will keep in touch if you do decide to start a group and let me know how it goes! I suspect it will be wonderful. I know I've been bolstered simply by the comments and direct messages I've received in response to this post. Community is so powerful!Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-46944104832547115272014-04-08T08:14:39.122-07:002014-04-08T08:14:39.122-07:00You nailed it. I have 4 kids: son (19), daughter ...You nailed it. I have 4 kids: son (19), daughter (17), and twin daughters (15). I have felt prompted often to start my own support/prayer group for moms of teenagers...but am held back by the fear of others judging me. I judge myself and my husband hard enough that I don't know if my heart could take my friends judging me too! After reading your feelings, I am encouraged to maybe, maybe, maybe reach out to a few friends who might be willing to get together. I'm still scared, but encouraged that I'm not the only one who feels this way. By the way, my kids are super too...sometimes...and awful...sometimes. Aren't we all?!Jennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-10604145217719627752014-04-08T07:11:02.485-07:002014-04-08T07:11:02.485-07:00Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! I ...Thanks for taking the time to read and respond! I think you're absolutely right. We want to protect their privacy, but it's complicated because "our stuff" is intertwined with "their stuff." I also think as our children get older it's harder to admit "in the moment" that we are struggling . . . it's so much easier to admit to the struggles of parenthood in retrospect. After publishing this post, I found myself fretting about not saying enough (any?!) good things about my children in this essay. For the record, my kids are amazing, beautiful people . . . and I find it MUCH more comfortable to talk/write about their amazing beautiful parts than the parts that are challenging and painful. Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-54581115734827064452014-04-08T06:39:01.820-07:002014-04-08T06:39:01.820-07:00Thank you for this great post! I have an almost 10...Thank you for this great post! I have an almost 10 and 6 year old, and I find myself censoring so much more about my 10-year-old. I think it is as our children get older, they are more autonomous and we want to protect their privacy more - but that is at the age when we as parents need MORE help and support, not less. Thank you for this great post! 4 is Morehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12701491360682515939noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-60107038114852603542014-04-07T21:38:34.410-07:002014-04-07T21:38:34.410-07:00Thanks for your note, Amy. I love your words: &quo...Thanks for your note, Amy. I love your words: "Each one brings their own blend of joy and misery…" So true--and I would add "life lessons" ; )Dawn Babb Prochovnichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11937198669942684231noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7682068539362234072.post-60293941994137312182014-04-07T21:19:17.136-07:002014-04-07T21:19:17.136-07:00GREAT idea. We span the ages in our house with ki...GREAT idea. We span the ages in our house with kids ages 16, 5 and 3. Each one brings their own blend of joy and misery....but your points are all true. I can air dirty laundry on the little ones easier than the big one. Maybe because she's so close to adulthood. If I fess up to her imperfections, I'm admitting my own parenting flaws! Thanks for sharing.Amy Cavallerihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06960018962709588525noreply@blogger.com