Mothers Unwind, Have Fun and Share Challenges With Those Who Understand Best.
Paramus—For mothers of children with special needs, there’s nothing more reassuring than knowing they’re not alone. Long days, hectic schedules and caring for their child—plus meeting the rest of the family’s needs—can deplete their energy and leave no time for themselves. It’s no wonder these moms report that isolation is one of their biggest day-to-day challenges. But the Friendship Circle of Bergen County, which provides programs and services for children with special needs and their families, has a solution. Its “Moms Night Out” program offers these women both a respite from the grind and camaraderie with other mothers who “get it.”
“Having a child with special needs can be incredibly lonely,” said Zeesy Grossbaum, executive director of the non-profit organization. “More than anyone else, these moms need a time out every now and then. Moms Night Out is an outlet where they can periodically unwind, enjoy some ‘me time’ for a change, and bond with other moms of kids with special needs.”
The program also offers something else they need—fun. Each event centers on a different activity, such as jewelry making, ceramic workshops, cooking contests, spa nights, yoga and Zumba. Events are sometimes hosted in private homes, making it a more intimate setting for mothers to get to know each other.
Until she discovered Moms Night Out, Leah Rosenberg had no chance to get out, let alone meet other parents who understood what she was going through. Now she cherishes the get-togethers. “You feel like you’re on a little island, getting pampered,” said the Fair Lawn resident. “You go there and no one is judging you. It’s a chance to actually relax, which is something I’d never do on my own.”
Naomi Klein of Teaneck attends nearly every Moms Night Out program. “I really enjoy the time to get and be me, not just a mom,” said the mother of two children with a variety of spectrum issues. “We have lots of fun, but we also connect and share ideas about therapists, doctors, resources and parenting. It’s really nice to know you’re not alone.” She noted that the Escape Room event was particularly intriguing and engaging, since it required teamwork to solve the clues.
“It was a really different activity and it was so nice to put our individual strengths together to solve the puzzles and open the door,” she said.
As a testament to the value Friendship Circle provides to families, Klein said her younger son wants to start volunteering for the organization after he becomes a bar mitzvah. Friendship Circle of Bergen County offers teenagers a variety of opportunities to volunteer and work with special needs students: Friends@Home, Teen Scene, mini camps and the Hebrew School are among the programs for teens to help make a difference in families’ lives.
Elana Lefkovitz of Teaneck, whose non-ambulatory 5-year-old daughter has a rare genetic disorder, said, “Moms Nights Out are one of the few things that got me through the first few years of her diagnosis.” Although she enjoys her paint nights, manicures and playing “Chopped,” among other activities, “It is not just sitting around talking, which can be uncomfortable for some people. Nobody is forced to participate; they can just come and hang out. What is really important is feeling connected. Very often, we have no other friends with children with special needs; Moms Nights Out provide an opportunity to see that you are not alone.”
Her daughter has been participating in Friends@Home for five years, enjoying visits with teenage girls who play with her, read her stories and sing songs. “If it weren’t for Friendship Circle, she would not have had any of these interactions and friendships until she started school and potentially not even then. It is wonderful for her and for us.”
For more information about programs offered by Friendship Circle of Bergen County—for special needs children, their families and volunteers—visit bcfriendship.com or call Zeesy Grossbaum at
201-262-7172.
