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  • Get to Know Your Board: Wenjia Zhao

    25 Feb 2024 10:14 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of members who have volunteered their time to serve on the SMPC Board.  This month, we will be highlighting a few of our Board Members by sharing their SMPC role and experiences.

    Meet Wenjia Zhao!


    As the Treasurer for the SMPC, could you tell us what exactly you do?

    I help the club track and manage its expenses, handle reimbursements and payments, and monitor its budget. I also file taxes, prepare financial reports, and handle other financial paperwork with banks and payment processors.

    How long have you been an SMPC member, and how long have you been on the Board?   What initially drew you to join the SMPC, and then to volunteer for this Board position?  

    I joined SMPC as a member in February 2023, so it’s just been a little over a year. I joined it originally just to get involved with kid and parent friendly events. I really enjoyed the events and wanted to help out. I saw a recruitment email for the board in August 2023 and officially joined a month later. 

    What city do you live in?  How many kids do you have and how old are they?  

    I live in San Mateo city, near Hillsdale. I have a toddler son who’s turning 2 in April!

    Where are some of your favorite places (in San Mateo or elsewhere in the Bay Area) to take your son? 

    My son loves running around and touching everything, so we enjoy places with toddler-proof interactive exhibits like CuriOdyssey and Palo Alto Junior Museum. We also enjoy going to Laurie Meadows park and our home park, Paddock, when the weather is good. In the summer when it gets really hot we would go fountain hopping at Stanford to cool off as well.

    What is your favorite SMPC event you've attended and why?

    Highlands Pool Party! It was our first time at the Highlands Recreation Center, and we really liked the shallow kiddie pool. Plus the food at the party was really tasty.

  • Get to Know Your Board: Erin Livingston

    25 Feb 2024 9:51 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We are fortunate to have a wonderful group of members who have volunteered their time to serve on the SMPC Board.  This month, we will be highlighting a few of our Board Members by sharing their SMPC role and experiences. 

    Meet Erin Livingston!      


    As the Playgroups and Parent Pairings Coordinator, could you tell us what you do? 

    For playgroups, I set up new groups in Facebook as needed and recruit for new members. I also try to encourage conversation or meetups, especially in the groups that are just getting started. For Parent Pairings, I match up to 70 members at a time with mentors or buddies. The matches last for 6 months and are 1:1 or small group, with monthly prompts to inspire connection. 

    How long have you been an SMPC member, and how long have you been on the Board?   What initially drew you to join the SMPC, and then to volunteer for this Board position?  

    I've been a member for close to 4 years - I joined when my son was around 3 months old. I joined SMPC because I wanted to meet others who were in a similar stage of motherhood. It's so nice to have others who are going through the same things at the same time, whether that's breastfeeding an infant, potty training a toddler, or making decisions about schools later on. This is my second year on the board. I've really benefited from SMPC, especially during the early days of covid when socially-distanced park playdates were some of my only social gatherings! I wanted to contribute more to creating that community. 

    What city do you live in?  How many kids do you have and how old are they?  

    My husband and I live in the Sunnybrae neighborhood of San Mateo and our son just turned 4! We love to meet neighbors so feel free to reach out if you live nearby. 

    Where are some of your favorite places (in San Mateo or elsewhere in the Bay Area) to take your son? 

    We often walk to downtown San Mateo to get coffee at Blue Bottle, then swing by Central Park and maybe the Japanese Tea Garden. We also like to hike at Edgewood Park Natural Preserve. I recommend a membership to CuriOdyssey since that's an easy local option that includes Magic Mountain playground. If we are feeling more ambitious, we sometimes go to Tunnel Tops Park or Golden Gate Park in SF. 

    What is your favorite SMPC event you've attended and why? 

    My favorite event is actually ongoing...it's our book club! I've been a regular for years now and love meeting up with friends who also love to read every 3 weeks. 

  • February Kids/Family Fun Events

    30 Jan 2024 2:04 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

  • January Kids/Family Fun Events

    2 Jan 2024 10:54 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

  • Open board position: President

    12 Dec 2023 10:11 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    We are currently recruiting for our 2024 board! In the coming weeks, we will be publishing information about available board positions. Today, we’ll be talking about the open President position and hearing from our current President, Adara Citron.

    President

    Description: Lead the Board meetings. Act as ambassador to both the members of the club and members of the community. Supports other Board members as needed. Usually 5 hours per month.

    Adara’s Thoughts: Being President for the last year has been such an honor. It's been a joy to make improvements to the organization and structure of the Club, and watch membership grow as a result of increased community engagement. Honestly, I was intimidated when I initially took the reins. I was nervous about the workload and time commitment, but was pleasantly surprised with how managable it's been to fit into my full-time work schedule and being a mom to two young kids. Being supported by a strong Board has made my job so much easier; my role is to create an environment where they can shine. The continuing 2024 Board is also equally strong, and I know that the next President will continue to be supported. This role is what you make of it; it can be as laid back or involved as you have time for. In addition to the complementary SMPC membership, a huge perk is getting to meet so many Club members. I love growing this community and feeling connected to others no matter where we are in San Mateo and surrounding areas.

  • 2024 SMPC Board Open Positions

    12 Dec 2023 10:03 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Happy almost-2024! It’s hard to believe that 2023 is almost over. With the new year comes a call for new board members for the San Mateo Parents Club. The board works collaboratively to create community and a safe space for our families in a world where things just seem to get crazier every day. 

    The Board is a great stepping stone into learning more about our local community and achieving a shared vision of parents supporting parents. See the full list of open Board Positions below. No experience is necessary, and outgoing/previous Board Members are available to mentor and support new members throughout the process. Please reach out to president@sanmateoparentsclub.org if you are interested!

    • President 

    • Vice President

    • Blog Partner

    • Preschool Fair Coordinator (Laura will be available for mentorship) 

    • Speaker & Social Series

    • Community Service

    • Advertising 

    To help you better understand the various roles, look out for upcoming blurbs on the blog for the various available board positions. Also, here are the descriptions for each role and the time commitment expected from each role. If you’re considering joining the board, keep an eye out for an upcoming event where you can meet current board members and learn more about open positions!

  • Stay-at-Home Mom's Guide to Divorce

    12 Dec 2023 9:25 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    Divorce is a tough journey for everyone, but it can be particularly vexing for stay-at-home moms. Often, stay-at-home parents have given up their careers to care for their children and allow their spouses to continue a career path. Now, they face the challenge of rebuilding their lives and providing for themselves and their children. 

    The O'Mara Law Group offers comprehensive assistance for mothers facing divorce. The guide covers various aspects, including financial planning, custody arrangements, legal rights, emotional support, and rebuilding after divorce. It emphasizes the unique challenges faced by stay-at-home moms who have sacrificed their careers for their families. The key points include: 

    1. Financial Preparation for Divorce:

    • Gather necessary paperwork for financial assessment.
    • Understand assets, debts, and liabilities.
    • Work with a legal team to ensure accurate financial disclosure.

    2. Managing Finances After Divorce:

    • Create a budget and adjust to single-income living.
    • Build an emergency fund for unexpected expenses.
    • Review and adjust insurance coverage.
    • Understand child support and alimony laws before signing any documents.

    3. Legal Rights:

    • Stay-at-home moms have rights in child custody, child support, spousal support, and property division.
    • Legal representation is crucial to protecting these rights during divorce proceedings.

    4. Child Custody and Parenting Agreements:

    • Educate yourself on local laws and prioritize the child's best interests.
    • Collaborate on a parenting agreement and consider mediation for disputes.

    5. When to Hire a Divorce Lawyer:

    • Seek legal help if the other spouse fails to comply with court orders.
    • A knowledgeable women's divorce attorney can protect parental rights.

    6. Support for Children:

    • Create a safe space for children to express feelings.
    • Maintain consistency in routines.
    • Co-parent effectively to minimize adverse effects.

    7. Emotional Support:

    • Practice self-care through activities like exercise and meditation.
    • Seek support from friends, family, or support groups.
    • Consider professional counseling or therapy to cope with emotional challenges.

    8. Rebuilding After Divorce:

    • Rebuild credit and assess housing costs.
    • Explore career options and update skills.
    • Rediscover interests and set new goals for personal fulfillment.

    After a divorce, rebuilding can feel like a long and difficult process. So many aspects of your life may need to be reevaluated and restructured. Despite the challenges, every step you take towards rebuilding is a step towards a brighter future for yourself and your children.

    We hope this guide encourages stay-at-home moms to view divorce as an opportunity for a fresh start, providing practical tips to navigate the legal, financial, and emotional aspects of this challenging process.

    You can see the full guide here: https://www.omaralawgroup.com/stay-at-home-moms-guide-to-divorce/

  • December Kids/Family Fun Events

    29 Nov 2023 11:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

  • Choosing the Best Early Childhood Education Program for Your Child and Family

    20 Nov 2023 8:02 PM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

    The results are in. Children who participate in quality preschool programs do better academically, professionally, and personally.  A high-quality preschool program focuses on early childhood learning and development while providing childcare for working parents.  It exposes children to academic concepts as well as critical social and emotional skills. Young children benefit from opportunities to interact with peers and learning to trust caregivers separate from family members.  To find the right environment for your child and family, begin with these initial questions:

    • WHERE? Do I want my child in a home or school setting, full- or part-time?  Home settings can be cozy, but caregiver credentials vary. The smaller group size and mixed aged can be more comforting for slow to warm or very young children.  Center-based programs offer more social variety and a larger environment to explore. Cost will vary depending on the type of program and number of hours of care. There are also part-time options for parents who don’t need full-time care. Outdoor/Nature focused, and Parent Participation programs are great ways to let your children explore new things and meet new people while you also make connections to other parents.
    • WHEN? Are both parents returning to work?  Is the at-home parent ready for time alone?  Is the child ready for TK or Kindergarten?  Some families need care soon after a baby is born, while others may only need socialization experience before beginning formal elementary school. Many parents are working remotely from home at least some of the time, but still need someone to give their young children the care and stimulation they deserve and need.   Children should have at least one year—but preferably two years—of a quality group experience before starting kindergarten.
    •  WHO? Think about your child.  Will your active child be restless in a program with limited outdoor time?  Are children encouraged to sample a variety of indoor and outdoor activities?  How do children learn conflict resolution skills and develop resiliency?  Is your sensitive child easily overwhelmed in a large group?  Also think about yourself.  Does the school have a community that you can become part of?  Will you feel supported by teachers, administrators, and other parents? Are there opportunities for you to be involved in ways that work with your time constraints and interests?

    Now that you’ve thought about the basic questions, let’s find out what type of preschool/child care best fits your child’s temperament and learning style.  Here are some popular teaching philosophies to consider when choosing an early learning program:

    Developmental: A developmentally appropriate, play-based program supports learning in all five areas of development, including gross-motor and fine-motor skills, language and cognitive development, and social and emotional learning.  Classrooms are teacher-directed or child-centered, depending on the school orientation.  Includes free play time, as well as more structured circle times or group activities.

    Montessori (Maria Montessori, 1870-1952): Classrooms are structured, with children moving from activity to activity at their own pace.  Many Montessori programs incorporate three principles: observation of the child, personal liberty, and preparation of the environment. Special materials emphasize the use of all the senses.  Children are self-directed and encouraged to work independently, often in multi-age classrooms. 

    Parent Cooperative: Parent participation is required, either in the classroom, at home, or by serving on a parent board that operates the school.  The basic philosophy is that children and parents go to school together with guidance from a qualified teacher.  The focus is on child development.  There is often a parent education component either during the day or in evening meetings.  

    Reggio Emilia (Loris Malaguzzi, 1920-1994): Evolved from the parent cooperative movement, these programs involve the community in the world of the child.  Emphasis is on relationships with peers and adults, creative thinking skills, and project work. Each project lasts from a few weeks to more than a month.  Children’s progress is documented through posters or portfolios that capture a child’s learning process. The curriculum emerges from the children’s interests. 

    Language Immersion: Children are taught in a foreign language.  The classrooms and teachers may follow any of these teaching philosophies. Many language immersion programs adopt the Montessori philosophy.

    Waldorf (Rudolf Steiner, 1861-1925): Develops a child’s intellectual powers in harmony with his or her nature.  Waldorf schools incorporate imaginative play, a multi-sensorial approach, and stress “learning by doing.” Programs may include a lot of creative activity and natural materials in the classroom.  Teachers receive specialized training, lead many group activities, and often remain with the same set of children for several years. 

    Religious: Usually affiliated with a church, synagogue, or other religious organization, these programs may incorporate a lot, a little, or no religious training and may follow any of these teaching philosophies.

    University (or lab) Schools:  These programs are vehicles for teacher training and ongoing child development research.  The staff is usually required to have a higher learning degree, and there may be several student-researchers in the classroom at any one time.  Children may benefit from the latest research in the child development field and are expected to be active participants in student research studies.

    Academic: Academic programs stress preparation for kindergarten and elementary school, with early reading or formal reading readiness activities, an introduction to paper-and-pencil mathematics, and a focus on achievement.  The preschool day is structured, often with separate times for “work” and “play.”

    Outdoor/Nature Programs:  These programs are usually oriented toward spending most or all of the time outside exploring nature.  Most of these programs involve daily field trips to different locations at which the children explore the nature of the location with the guidance of a teacher who plans activities that apply to the place.  Some of the programs include parents; some do not.

    Once you’ve found an early learning environment that supports your child and family needs, be sure to communicate your enthusiasm for your child’s first school experience.  For many children, this is the beginning of a new, special relationship with another trusted adult. Be supportive, confident, and patient as your child learns to navigate the world outside the home. Communicate openly and often with your child’s teacher to help him/her be in the best position to meet your child’s needs. Become friendly with the teachers, caregivers, and parents, and always focus on your child’s strengths. Your child will benefit from the gift of an early start.

    Stephanie Barry Agnew is the Assistant Director of Parents Place, in The Center for Children and Youth.  She works with parents in groups and individually to help them through a wide variety of parenting issues, including discipline and school choices. She can be reached at 650-931-1841 or StephanieA@jfcs.org.

    Learn more about all the Parents Place programs at https://ccy.jfcs.org/

    To book an individual consultation about school choice or any other parenting question you may have, please email: ccyintake@jfcs.org

  • November Kids/Family Fun Events

    1 Nov 2023 11:27 AM | Anonymous member (Administrator)

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