Acton-Boxborough Family Network: www.abfamily.org

Bedford Family Connection: www.bfctoday.com

Carlisle Family Connection: www.facebook.com/groups/Carlisle, carlislefamilyconnection@gmail.com

Concord Family Network: www.concordfamilynetwork.org

Harvard Family Association:  www.facebook.com/groups/harvardfamily

Check out: Kindergarten Connection - know your classmates before starting kindergarten!  harvardmafamily@gmail.com

Lincoln Family Association: www.lincfam.org

Littleton Parent Association: www.littletonparents.org                               (website currently inactive)

Maynard Family Network: https://www.facebook.com/mfnmno/ 

Sudbury Family Network: www.sudburyfamilynetwork.org

Westford Young Child Network   https://www.facebook.com/westfordyoungchildnetwork

Military Family Support Group
milfamilysg@gmail.com

For a new parent, there many changes, many questions, and often a feeling of isolation. First Connections offers a wide variety of supports to parents of infants.

Working Parents of Babies Playgroup

Held in 8-week sessions on Saturday mornings, 9:30-11:00. Groups will begin in July, September & November 2018, and January, March, & May 2019. 

Parents of babies who are working full time and having a difficult time staying connected, managing stress, and finding a peer community -- which can be especially difficult if you had a short maternity leave or experienced any type of difficult birth experience, postpartum anxiety or depression. This group is focused on parents with babies 0-24 months who are unable to attend weekday playgroups. The group is facilitated by a rotating group of professionals from First Connections and NAMMA Families. Open to moms and dads from any town thanks to a CHNA 15 grant. To inquire about openings in the next session, email lmatthews@jri.org.

New Dads Group

Usually the Second Tuesday of the month, 7:00-8:30 p.m. at Maynard Public Library, 77 Nason Street

Expectant fathers and dads with a baby under 12 months are invited to come to their own group to make connections with other fathers, ask questions, exchange tips, and share their own unique experiences of adjusting to the changes that parenthood has brought to their lives. Fathers are welcome to attend with or without babies. Facilitated by Heather O'Brien, LICSW. Meets 7:00-8:30 p.m. Summer Dates: June 12, July 10, August 14

Registration required; please email Heather at hobrien@jri.org 

6-Week First-time Moms Group

This group is facilitated by certified lactation counselor Mary Beilman. This group strives to be educational, supportive, and the ideal format for new mothers to share ideas and experiences. Especially helpful for those who have just left the working world or whose family is not nearby. During the six weeks we focus on adjusting to your new role as a mother, infant-care concerns (feeding, crying, sleeping), infant development, making the return-to-paid-work or stay-at-home-mom decision, and changes in your relationships with your spouse, family, and friends. Moms who attend this program can also participate in a Motor Development in the First 12 Months of Life presentation by pediatric physical therapist Mary Evans from Emerson Specialty Services in Westford.

Late Summer group will be held in Littleton and begins on August 20.

Registration required; please email Linda at lmatthews@jri.org

New Mothers Group

Wednesdays, 179 Great Road, Unit 104A, Acton, 1:00-2:30 p.m.

(directions link above) 

Any mother with a pre-crawling baby is welcome to attend this weekly support group. Open-discussion format is a forum for you to share experiences and resources, connect with other new mothers, and seek guidance about any concerns you might have. No registration required. Facilitated by a certified lactation counselor or consultant.

Emotional Well-Being After Baby Group

Held every Thursday from 10-11:30 a.m. at First Connections, 179 Great Road, in Acton.    Will not be held July 5, 2018!

Emotional challenges are the most common complication of pregnancy and childbirth, yet mothers often feel isolated and ashamed if they are struggling. Mothers experiencing anxiety or depression, or who are feeling overwhelmed in the postpartum year, can come together for this supportive, nonjudgmental, confidential group to share stories and learn from each other.

Before attending for the first time, please contact the facilitator, Heather O'Brien, LICSW at hobrien@jri.org

Home Visiting

We visit Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hanscom Air Force Base, Littleton, Lincoln, Maynard, Sudbury, and Westford

First Connections can provide home visits in our service area for parents who have questions or concerns about postpartum adjustment, infant development, breastfeeding, or sibling-adjustment issues. 

Please contact mbeilman@jri.org. Funding for this service has been provided through a donation from Emerson Hospital's Pediatric Intervention Team.

Space is limited in all groups and pre-registration before attending is required by emailing lmatthews@jri.org. All groups are free of charge. Each child may register for one group. To receive our newsletter four times a year with playgroup descriptions and registration dates, email your name, child's name and age, and town you live in to lmatthews@jri.org.

Children over 12 months will be registered on a space-available basis if they do not live within our catchment area: Acton, Bedford, Boxborough, Carlisle, Concord, Harvard, Hanscom AFB, Lincoln, Littleton, Maynard, Sudbury, Westford.

Introducing a Bicycle

Presented by Physical Therapist Karen Veilleux

Held at First Connections on Tuesday, August 28, 10:00 a.m.

Childcare available with reservations

What age is appropriate to introduce a bicycle to your child? What type of motor skills should be in place before successfully attempting this new way to have fun? What purpose do training wheels serve, and when is the right time to wean off of them? Join us for this parent presentation - your child is welcome to stay with us in the playroom if childcare is needed - just let us know he/she is coming. Email lmatthews@jri.org to register.