Mom creates parenting group

CNJ staff photo: Liliana Castillo Michelle Druba, mother of 2, decided to start a parenting group to provide support to herself and other Clovis parents.

Michelle Druba has lived in Clovis on and off for over 10 years. When she returned to Clovis as an adult, she wanted to meet other moms and dads. She searched for a parenting group and finding none, decided to start one herself. The parenting group meets at 10 a.m. on the first Friday of every month for about an hour at the Clovis Civic Center.

Home is where your heart is: I like living in Clovis because my family is close. My mother and brother live here. Especially as a new parent, it’s awesome to have that family support. Clovis is a pretty close knit community. There is a lot of diversity but basically everyone is close. There is a lot of community pride and togetherness.

Parenting with style: I started the parenting group about 10 months ago. I practice attachment parenting and I wanted to meet people parent in a similar way to us. I don’t work, I stay at home with the kids, so I wanted to meet people. I couldn’t find any evidence of a group and I realized that if I wanted to have the group, I’d have to start it myself. I’m passionate about parenting and I wanted the support. And I know there are military wives in town that don’t have their own families.

Case of attachment: Dr. William Sears believes, and I do to, that Americans have become fans of detachment parenting. We distance ourselves physically and mentally from our children. We put them in strollers and seats and bed them away from us. I believe in baby wearing. I wear a baby sling so I can go shopping, have both my hands, but my baby is right next to me. She can feel my heart beat, my breathing and she feels safe. There’s so much research backing that attachment parenting is good for the baby.

Open minded: One of my biggest goals for the group is to keep is open and diverse. I want the group to be for everyone. When I started the group, I talked to a lot of moms about what they wanted and one of things they said is that they don’t want the group to get cliquey or judgmental. The purpose of the group is to educate and provide support. We discuss an attachment parenting topic each meeting and have guest speakers and activities like clothing swaps and side classes.

Information: 763-9027 and ap4nm.webs.com.