Mothers look to peers for support
Susann Schmitt
Issue date: 9/3/09 Section: News
Mothers Achieving More Academically, also known as MAMA is a new organization on campus this semester. The purpose of MAMA is to bring together student mothers to discuss childcare, attend family nights, learn of different financial resources and to vent. The idea for this organization came about when Pat Millhoff, director of women's studies, and Lee Gill, associate vice president Incl. & Equity, were having a discussion about underserved populations on campus. "We wanted to make the University of Akron accessible to all students, and we realized that young moms' and moms' in general needs were not being served," Millhoff said.
The first two meetings were held in the Student Union room 314 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Millhoff said there were about 16 mothers at the meetings. The organization plans to have monthly meetings as well as a fun activity.
The group members have already decided to hold a movie night for themselves and their children on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Leigh Hall at 4:00 p.m. "We tried to plan it at night but since most of our kids don't stay up past 8:00, we decided to have it on the weekend," said Kelsey Kapper, who attended the meeting. She said two of the movies they plan to watch are Cars and Wall-E.
The group is also planning to start a blog so they can communicate with one another while at home. They also plan to have a breast-feeding program to talk about whether mothers should or shouldn't breast-feed and whether a lactation room should be available on campus.
The mothers at the meeting had many interesting things to say about balancing school time with being a mother. Brandie Larkins stated, "I don't think there is anything wrong with having a child at a young age. I kind of like it because when I am 40 I'll be able to relax and enjoy myself. If I didn't have my son and I was sitting here in college, I might be out partying and not focusing on my schoolwork. I think back to four years ago when I was 18 and I wonder if I would have been able to have the drive and direction I have now." She thinks alot of moms are going back to school because there are resources for them to utilize.
The first two meetings were held in the Student Union room 314 on Tuesday, Sept. 1, and Wednesday, Sept. 2, from 12:00-2:00 p.m. Millhoff said there were about 16 mothers at the meetings. The organization plans to have monthly meetings as well as a fun activity.
The group members have already decided to hold a movie night for themselves and their children on Saturday, Oct. 3, in Leigh Hall at 4:00 p.m. "We tried to plan it at night but since most of our kids don't stay up past 8:00, we decided to have it on the weekend," said Kelsey Kapper, who attended the meeting. She said two of the movies they plan to watch are Cars and Wall-E.
The group is also planning to start a blog so they can communicate with one another while at home. They also plan to have a breast-feeding program to talk about whether mothers should or shouldn't breast-feed and whether a lactation room should be available on campus.
The mothers at the meeting had many interesting things to say about balancing school time with being a mother. Brandie Larkins stated, "I don't think there is anything wrong with having a child at a young age. I kind of like it because when I am 40 I'll be able to relax and enjoy myself. If I didn't have my son and I was sitting here in college, I might be out partying and not focusing on my schoolwork. I think back to four years ago when I was 18 and I wonder if I would have been able to have the drive and direction I have now." She thinks alot of moms are going back to school because there are resources for them to utilize.
Viewing Comments 1 - 2 of 2
anony mouse
posted 9/03/09 @ 11:22 PM EST
I'm glad to see moms attending college getting support. The idea of getting those attending for education degrees involved sounds ideal.
This could be a wonderful group for U of A!!!
Jessica Pace
posted 9/04/09 @ 10:29 PM EST
I am very excited about that the Buchtelite wrote an article about this new MAMA student group. As a mother myself attending UA I have been looking for something like this, so it is very exciting to be able to get together with women a common bond! We are starting up this blog for the UA MAMA women to write on. (Continued…)
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