Mélanie manages a household of seven children. In her busy life as a stay-at-home mom, socializing at the Maison de la famille at the Centre communautaire Val-Martin (Val-Martin community centre) and taking part in activities does her a great deal of good.
“My name is Mélanie, and I’m the mother of five children who are 11, 8, 7, 4 years old, and 2 months. I’m also the stepmother to two children who are 15 and 3 years old. I’ve been a stay-at-home mom for eight years. Four years ago, when my daughter was in kindergarten, one of her friend’s moms invited me to a workshop at the Maison de la famille (family centre) at the Centre communautaire Val-Martin. The topic of the workshop interested me, so I said yes.
I would never have dared to go by myself. I didn’t think it was for me as my ex-husband and I didn’t have financial issues. But when I visited, I could relax and socialize. When I started going, I’d been a stay-at-home mom for more than three years. It felt great to get out of the house and socialize with other mothers. I made new friends and was able to have some more me-time.
Over time, I got more involved with the Maison de la famille. I now lead creative activities and community workshops on independent cooking, and I’m a member of the parents’ committee. I worked in an office before being a stay-at-home mom, and I feel a bit like I’ve found a team and a work structure.”
WHEN I STARTED GOING TO THE CENTRE COMMUNAUTAIRE VAL-MARTIN, I’D BEEN A STAY-AT-HOME MOM FOR MORE THAN THREE YEARS. IT FELT GREAT TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE AND SOCIALIZE WITH OTHER MOTHERS. I MADE NEW FRIENDS AND WAS ABLE TO HAVE SOME MORE ME-TIME.”
“Over time, I got more involved with the Maison de la famille. I now lead creative activities and community workshops on independent cooking, and I’m a member of the parents’ committee. I worked in an office before being a stay-at-home mom, and I feel a bit like I’ve found a team and a work structure.
If I could talk to the Mélanie I was five years ago, I would tell her to stop being self-conscious, to summon her courage, and go to the Centre communautaire Val-Martin. I met some amazing people, a new family, and a new home. Now, I no longer live in the neighbourhood, but I come back to Chomedey for Maison de la famille.”
— Mélanie