It should not have worked. Twenty two babies and young children, twelve volunteers and a compact space for three hours could have turned out differently. But it was marvelous. Grown ups and a few homeschooled teens who enjoy munchkins showed up for an hour or three to play and snuggle. Overworked moms straggled in with hefty diaper bags and well marked sippy cups to plop their precious bundle of joy into the arms of an unfamiliar person.

 

I was nervous, and excited, and ready for a few tearful babes, but the first Mother's Morning Out was a laughing success. Miracles have a way of slipping into my awareness but this one came barreling in. A thirteen year old girl called me late the night before asking if she could please come too. 

 

"I love babies and I never get to hold them!" 

 

"Well, sure!" I stammered.

 

I sent a message to a young man who thinks tossing kids in the air is a great way to pass the time, and he added spice to an otherwise heavy-on-the-protective-and-don't run-sweetie atmosphere. I held one nursling happily in a sling when another mom asked for a turn.

 

"But she's... oh, okay."

 

I already have my eye on the Saturday before Christmas, to give those moms a few more hours for shopping, wrapping and baking. 

 

Or maybe they will simply put their feet up. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo by Jenny Stein

you can support us at

www.caringformarriage.org