Happy Monday Mamas! I hope that you have been enjoying the #MeetAMom series so far. I’m really looking forward to introducing you to the many Mama gems that live in our area! For this weeks Meet a Mom, please meet Stacey Todaro. She is the president of The Moms Club – Far Northwest Houston chapter. When I hear the term Mom tribe,I think of a strong group of women supporting one another through the ups and downs of parenting – this club definitely fits that! Let’s face it, parenting is not always a smooth ride – but when you have a group of Moms who can relate and who meet frequently, it is definitely a recipe to help Moms succeed in this Motherhood journey. I was able to meet Stacey when I joined the club this past summer. Stacey has a such a bright, positive, spirit about her which makes it really easy to be around her. If you’re the President of such an important Club to women it is so crucial to make sure you are that welcoming voice, she does that so naturally! If you meet her, you will feel welcomed regardless who you are! She is leading this incredible Club that helps so many Moms in our local area – it has been beautiful to watch the many things offered to Moms and their kids on a normal weekly basis and boy do they rally together for a Mom who might be needing extra support (babies arriving, kids with an illness, getting the flu, etc.). I hope you enjoy reading about this incredible Mom – She also lists some of her favorite spots to visit in our area!
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town?
I am a Chicagoan! I lived my whole life in the suburbs of Chicago, until I moved to Myrtle Beach, SC for college. About a year after graduating, I got married and we moved to San Antonio. My husband’s job brought us to Houston 4 years later, and we have been here 6 years.
How many children do you have and what are their ages?
I have 3 children (1 boy & 2 Girls).
Jace-7
Hazel-4
Lilah-3
We also have a dog, Bella. She is 10 years old.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I’ve swam with sharks, and would love to do it again! While in College I took a Shark Biology Class (I was a Marine Science Major) which took us to Bimini (Bahamas) for a week. While we were there, we hand fed baby lemon sharks, swam with Reef and White Tip sharks, & swam with a 14 ft. Tiger shark. The Tiger shark was restrained while we were in the water, he was being tagged for tracking purposes. It was definitely one of the scariest, yet coolest things I have done. I also did two internships where I got to work closely with sea turtles, dolphins & sea lions. As you can see, I have a love for the ocean and the creatures in it. 🙂
Anyone special you’d like to thank for helping you through parenthood?
There are so many who have helped me in different ways since I became a Mom.
The first person I would thank would be my husband, who has been so supportive and hands on since our first baby was born. He really is an amazing Daddy; the kids and I are super lucky to have him.
I also owe a HUGE Thank You to my parents, especially my mom. They came from SC each time a new grand baby was born, and stayed with us for about 4 weeks each time. I can’t imagine doing those first few weeks without their help, especially recovering from c-sections. Also, for all the support, advice and knowledge they have shared over the past 7 years.
My sister and her husband, along with both of my sister in laws have been helpful as well. They all were parents before us, sharing tricks that worked for them & watching the kids so my hubby and I can have a date night now and then.
My MOMS Club has also been a life saver on this journey of motherhood. Since joining this group, I’ve met and became friends with so many wonderful women who are experiencing the same joys and struggles of being a Mom. My kids have also made many friends. This group really made us feel welcome and opened up my eyes on all the fun, kid friendly activities in the area.
Favorite things to do with your kids around town (Cypress/Copperfield/Jersey Village/Cyfair)?
There are so many fun things to do in the area. When the weather is nice, there are many great parks/playgrounds the kids love to visit. When it is really hot, if not at a pool/splashpad, the kids love indoor play places: Kidtastic, Urban Air, Kangas & Monkey Joes. Many of these have special toddler days/times. Once Fall hits, there are lots of local fall festivals & Pumpkin Patches in October. During the Holiday season, we enjoy going to the Christmas Tree Lighting at Towne Lake & seeing the Parade of Lights on Hwy. 6.
Favorite local things to do in the Cypress?
A few fun things I’ve done without kids in Cypress are Karaoke at The Voice, DIY Woodworking Projects at Acute Workshop, & exploring different places to eat around town. The Berry Center also has some fun events during the year. There are also some great breweries, most of them are kid friendly.
Are you involved in a business venture, a local organization, a creative endeavor, or in the corporate world? Please share!
I am currently the President of MOMS Club-Houston Far Northwest, which is a non-profit organization. MOMS stand for Moms Offering Moms Support. MOMS Club is a great way to connect with other stay-at-home-moms and children in our area and find a playgroup for your little one. Our chapter schedules a wide variety of group activities each month. Favorites include: lunch bunch (lunches at kid-friendly restaurants), play dates at indoor inflatable/climbing places, park/splash pad dates, ice cream socials, field trips to local businesses like HEB or fire stations, and best of all…mom’s night out! We also participate in various community service projects, and provide new moms with meals after their baby arrives.
How has this community been instrumental in getting you to where you are now?
Again, MOMS Club was really helpful in getting to know the area & giving recommendations/advice on pediatricians, dentists, etc. When we moved to Houston, I was already a stay at home mom, so it was hard to meet people and make friends. MOMS Club got my children and I out of the house exploring the area, and we made many new friends. The women in this group really helped Houston feel like home. I am proud to be President of this amazing group that continues to be welcoming to other stay at home moms in our area.
