CFEC: Where a Mom Can be a Mom

For kids who aren't freaked out by Munch's Make-Believe Band of automons, Chuck E. Cheese is a place where a kid can be a kid. Right? We've all heard the jingle; Chuck E. Cheese is an awesome place where little ones can run around, eat pizza, scream, cry, poop, play, win prizes and thoroughly annoy their parents until they pass out from exhaustion.

This post isn't about Chuck E. Cheese (Though I fear we'll have one of those in our foreseeable future).

It's about a place I've found here in Cincinnati where a mom can be a mom. And it's way better and has a creepout factor of 0 (compared to Chuck E. Cheese's 8.5). This sanctuary is called the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center and, like I've hinted, it's freaking awesome.

Jas and I first learned about the CFEC from our just-as-awesome OBGYN whose wife attended hypnobirthing classes taught by one of the founders, Sharon Said. Our doc marketed the center as a place for parents, especially moms, to meet, gather, talk, swap stories and let their babies roam free, learn and interact with other little tykes.

After going there for the first time yesterday, he was wrong. So wrong.

The Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center is so much more. Babes attached to breastfeeding mamas sit amid toys, pint-sized chairs and toddlers singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" en Espanol. Vegan, non-GMO, home-made snacks line up the case of the center's cafe counter. Baby gates are everywhere. Shoes are left at the door.

Without ever stepping foot inside before, I have to admit that the place felt like home; comforting and snuggly, like a big fat hug.

I went there, per my OBGYN's orders to "Get out and have two social interactions a week," on Wednesday after exchanging emails with Sharon Said. It was a match made in heaven: They need marketing volunteers and I need activities to fill my time up. I'm so stoked to be able to help them out but moreover, I'm really looking forward to spending more time there. I mean, heck, just on my first day I met two women who gave me more advice and social stimulation than I knew what to do with. I know I sound like a broken record, but it was awesome and refreshing.

Other great things they offer? A Tree of Life prenatal yoga class for baby-mama AND partner (Jas and I are going this Saturday. I don't think Jas has ever done yoga before, but I'm looking forward to seeing his long limbs fold into happy baby position. More on that later, I'm sure.), the aforementioned birthing classes, breastfeeding classes and a slew of classes and workshops for mama and baby once the little fetus is officially recognized as a real, live, human being (That's an homage to my friend Meghann). I'm already planning on making the trek over to the Northside neighborhood on Thursdays once grandparents are gone and Jas is back at work to attend the Tummy Time class and, schedule allowing, Parent/Baby Yoga classes on the weekends.

Even with all these great characteristics stacking up, I think maybe the coolest thing about the CFEC is that it's run by two moms who just wanted a place to hang out and be able to do mom things without worry, stress or judgement. If that's not passion, I'm not sure what is.

I'm just glad and thankful that I get to be a part of it.

Well...and that it doesn't require pizza, ball pits or super scary oversized puppets that haunt my dreams and give me the willies.