Catamount Connections

11/06/2020

Accepting Donations!

We have had an influx of requests from the community for children’s clothes and winter gear. Our supply has dwindled and we would love to be able to fulfill all requests as they come in. Please send us a message to arrange drop off or pick up!

Thank you!

09/20/2020

We are long overdue for an update!

We are holding off on all groups but we are still happy to help meet needs! If you need something please reach out and if we have something that can help we will gladly make arrangements to get it to you!

We currently have 6 cans of Similac Neosure (exp May 2021) available. Please message us if you’d like some 💚

07/07/2020

Are you the parent of a child age 5 or under and live in Vermont? Do you care about your child's education and development? Vermont wants to hear from you!

On behalf of the Building Bright Futures State Advisory Council, I am sharing an anonymous survey to collect some data and stories on the resources and programs available in our state. We want to hear what's going well, and what can use improvement. Your experiences as parents are especially important. This information will inform future policy and strategy initiatives to help families in Vermont access the services they need and want. Your feedback will influence program improvement recommendations across the state. This survey is so important for bettering the experience of being the parent of a young child in Vermont.

Please take a few minutes to complete this short survey of ten questions. Use the comment space to share your personal stories. This survey does not ask for your name or contact information - results are anonymous! If you prefer, I can message with you to help walk you through the questions. This survey can only be taken once per person, but if someone else in your household also wants to complete it, please send them the link. Thank you for taking the time to complete this survey. Feel free to reach out to me with any questions! My contact is [email protected] or text/call (802) 440-0357.

Take this survey powered by surveymonkey.com. Create your own surveys for free.

07/01/2020

Nurturing Moms is meeting virtually on Monday! Message us for logon information.

06/26/2020

Looking forward to new beginnings!

No timeline set right now but what are some things you will all be hoping to see when we open again? (Special programs, activities, etc.)

Is there anything we can do for you now?

💚

05/04/2020

Mother’s Day can be tough, and may be especially so this year. Join us for a special discussion in Nurturing Moms via a virtual Zoom meeting. Come as you are - pjs, kid noise, it’s all welcome. You will be able to video chat or call in on your phone. We meet this Wednesday from 9:30-10:00am. Message us or Stephanie Eames for a link! You could also email [email protected] if Messenger isn’t working for you. Hope to see you there!

04/26/2020

Free! Outside 416 Main St Bennington.

Could use a wash before using, use at your own discretion.

04/17/2020

Some peace for moms getting ready to deliver 💚

One month ago, I was 38 weeks pregnant, full of anxiety, anger and fear. Hospital protocols were changing daily. Visitors were banned. Laboring women could only have one person with them. This isn't what I pictured delivering my third baby would look like.

Two weeks later, my husband and I walked into labor and delivery and were handed masks. We were told to wear those any time any one entered our room. The nurses were always masked, as was the doctor. This was my third baby and the whole process was so different than the other two.

During my first two deliveries we had guests in and out while I labored and more guests after delivery. There were no masks. No scary protocols. It was a celebration and everyone was invited.

This time, it was just my husband and I. The room was quiet. No chaos of visitors. The conversations were just him and I. Just the two of us for the first time in six and a half years.

I'm just going to say it: delivering during the pandemic was a blessing in disguise.

We delivered with quiet hallways in a quiet room filled with just the three of us. We welcomed this baby with no expectations of people rushing in during skin-to-skin. We established nursing without having to wear an awkward nursing cover.

It was just us and our little guy. It was perfect.

Twenty-four hours later we returned home. Due to social distancing, there were no visitors and no school. There was no early morning school drop offs or mid-day school pick ups. There was no "panic cleaning" for visitors. There was no schedule and low expectations.

Our girls have been able to bond with their little brother all day, everyday. Having no schedule with a newborn has been dreamy. We are all sleeping, nursing, and bonding with no interruptions. There's no pressure to get out of the house. There's no reason to try to squeeze into pre-pregnancy clothes.

If you are a pregnant momma set to deliver during all the chaos of the world right now, rest easy. Take a deep breath. While this is probably not how you imagined your delivery, find the blessing through this mess.

Enjoy this break from real life, snuggle up with your newborn and enjoy every last minute of the newborn stage. Too soon, that teeny tiny baby won't be teeny tiny anymore.

To read more from Stephanie: https://knoxvillemoms.com/author/slancaster/