HELP! WHAT DO I DO? We asked a local Moms' Facebook group for any advice they could give new parents in the Chippewa Valley, and here's what they had to say. (Photo submitted by Michelle Monson Photography)

If there’s one thing mothers in the Chippewa Valley do, it’s stick together. This is quite evident in THE MOMS of Eau Claire and Chippewa Valley Facebook group, which has a membership of nearly 6,000 moms and other guardians who seek advice on parenting challenges, behavioral concerns, and academic issues, or are simply looking for words of encouragement from others who have been in similar situations.

When asked about resources in the Chippewa Valley that these moms deem indispensable for new parents, members from across the area jumped on board to offer their advice to those who may need it.

A frequent answer from the group’s members was Mama Bear Family Care Center (1813 Brackett Ave., Eau Claire), which has offered childbirth education, lactation consulting, and parental support to guardians of the Valley since 2019.

“Mama Bear Family Care has been and continues to be one of the best resources for not only breastfeeding moms, but pre/postnatal, infant sleep help, infant basics, and so much more,” group member Keely Shay Verbracken said. “It’s also super helpful for dads too. I wish I reached out sooner than I did personally!”

We live in an amazing community. Find your people. Build your chosen family. Love them, appreciate them, nurture the relationships. Learn to give and take with them. ... Find your balance, over and over.

Many echoed the sentiment of birth and postpartum support, like local Doulas, Apple Pregnancy Center (2600 Stein Blvd., Eau Claire), and the Family Resource Center (4800 Golf Rd., No. 450, Eau Claire) in Oakwood Mall.

For parents looking to keep their kids entertained, one mom, Samantha Turnmire, suggested the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library (400 Eau Claire St., Eau Claire) for books, story times, arts and crafts, and the toy section that has helped entertain her 4-year-old. Other moms pointed out that there are many payment options for Children’s Museum of Eau Claire memberships, including discounts for those who qualify for WIC or the Free and Reduced Lunch program.

A few moms said that some of the best resources in the Valley for new parents are the ones found right outside! “The only advice I give to a new parent is this: If your kid is grumpy or in a bad mood, go outside, put them in water (bath), or both (beach),” Tiffany Turner said. “The outdoors and water are miracle workers on the soul!!!!” Another mother suggested Jeffers Park since there is a fenced-in area where kids can run around without the fear of them running off.

Some moms didn’t recommend specific local resources but instead offered advice they had for any new parents who may be struggling. “As a seasoned mom, my advice and best resources are having the Wisconsin Poison Control phone number (1-800-222-1222), your child’s doctor’s office phone number, and learning First Aid – including infant CPR,” Heather Martell said. “Kids will eat stuff they aren’t supposed to, fall down when you look away for two seconds, get weird rashes, etc. All things that will freak out first-timers – it scared me, too.”

Michelle Endvick simply said, “Breathe. Find the calm within and breathe,” while many others emphasized the importance of a support system. “We live in an amazing community,” Jennifer Sisum said. “Find your people. Build your chosen family. Love them, appreciate them, nurture the relationships. Learn to give and take with them. ... Find your balance, over and over.”

But the best support system can sometimes lie right in the palm of your hand: “As a mom of multiples I don’t get a lot of in-person help in general,” Aryonna Zanchetti said. “Being a mom is pretty isolating so having this (Moms’ Facebook Group) is huge to me. Grateful my stepmom introduced it to me.”