FAMILY VILLAGE MOMS Issue XII

Photo credits: Facebook Group Village Moms

illage Moms

If you’ve seen the many strollers being pushed around in the Village the past few years, watched the neighborhood schools come to life recently after quite a hiatus or greeted what seemed like more trick-or-treaters this year than ever, you know there are plenty of Village kids.

And these days, moms in the German Village/Merion Village/Schumacher Place vicinity are connecting to socialize, share advice and give back to the community as “Village Moms.”

“The village” (and surrounding neighborhoods) have seen generations of moms get together to get things done — or just to plan playdates or no-kids happy hours — but this is likely the largest gathering yet.

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The group of 200+ moms is organized via a private Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/villagemomgroup as well as Instagram, WhatsApp, email, and good-old-fashioned get-togethers (when possible). In person or virtually, advice is exchanged, stories are shared, drinks are clinked and, little by little, community is bolstered and work is done to bring things to the area that moms and families want to enjoy. That list includes things like adding more young kids’ classes at the Schiller Park Recreation Center, a “fairy garden” in Schiller Park decorated with different themes for months, pumpkin painting, a kids’ clothing/toy/gear swap and volunteering together as a regular watering crew at Frank Fetch Park. (Can you tell they love the parks??)

Right now, a good handful of group members are exchanging gifts in a “Secret Santa.” In 2022, the organizing committee will be focused on continuing to advocate with the city for some playground improvements in Schiller Park with representatives from the city and bringing together area families to talk about school options — in addition to continuing to bring the fun for moms and families.