A Special Day For Mothers And Children

By Kendra Bobowick

Monday’s child is fair of face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go; Friday’s child is loving and giving, Saturday’s child works hard for a living, but the child that is born on the Sabbath day is bonny and blithe, good and gay.

Each step was hesitant — his balance something new.

Just a year old, Connor Monaghan worked to stay on his feet as he moved toward the center of C.H. Booth Library’s meeting room one Wednesday morning earlier this month. Behind him, his mother Roxann smiled. Turning toward her, Connor’s eyes paused briefly on the inquisitive faces around him.

“We were waiting for something for the little ones,” Ms Monaghan said, explaining what brought her and her son, along with other mother-child pairs, to the library that morning. Other moms and toddlers sat listening as a fairy tale began: “Old Mother Goose, when she wanted to wander, would fly through the air on a very fine gander …” recited children’s librarian Alana Bennison.

In April the library began offering Mother Goose on the Loose, a new program for children under age 2 and their parents. The award-winning early literacy program offers traditional nursery rhymes, songs, music, movement, flannel board activities and simple books during 30-minute sessions each Wednesday morning starting at 10.

Puppets and drums or rhymes and song all hold children’s attention. Children all younger than 2 years old usually clung to their mothers or reach out curious hands as Ms Bennison carries a drum to each wide-eyed little face.

Madeline Ford’s nanny Alison Plumley held the girl’s hands, helping her clap along and tap the drum during one recent session. Two-year-old Lindsay Myer cuddled in her mother Beth’s lap, clicking drum sticks together. Beside her, Annie Bandura sang along with her son Hunter, who normally attends the program with his grandmother.

“I was able to come for the first time,” said Ms Bandura. “It’s a surprise, it’s nice to do this.”

Interrupting her thoughts, another song began: “Hey diddle diddle, the cow jumped over the moon …” Just a few feet away, momentarily captivated by Ms Bennison’s song, were Leah and Duong Morris. Beside them, Madelyn Marcisz stood, teetered, and reached for her mom Anna’s hand. Ms Marcisz admitted she had just discovered the Wednesday morning program. “It’s free? I would pay money for this,” she laughed. Enjoying her second visit, she will keep coming, she said.

Holding her daughter and laughing as her little girl smiled, Kristen Tartaglia bounced Mia in her arms as Ms Bennison wound down the half-hour. Returning to the front of the room she sang slowly with a soft voice, “Sleep, sleep little one.”

Possibly on their way home to practice the new songs or take an afternoon nap, Isabelle Montoya and her mother Lina walked out to the car. Pausing a moment in the meeting room with her granddaughter, Barbara Gaydosh led 18-month-old Briana by the hand when the program ended.

Although the Mother Goose on the Loose is a new program at the library, it already has become popular. The 30-minute program follows a template designed by Betsy Diamant-Cohen, using elements of rhyme, animals, reading, and song to hold young children’s attention.

“It’s such a surprise for them,” Ms Bennison said. Loving the children’s expressions, she added, “To watch the surprise on their faces — they’re amazed with everything.”

With Mother Goose on the Loose ongoing and Mother’s Day earlier this month, Town Historian Dan Cruson was asked about Newtown’s most notable mother. He chose Sarah Booth Hawley, the mother of town benefactress Mary Elizabeth Hawley, as perhaps the most notable in Newtown’s past.

Describing her as possibly “overly concerned” and “overly protective,” Mary Hawley lived with her mother after a failed marriage. Ms Hawley went on to be the town’s benefactress, leaving for residents Edmond Town Hall, Hawley School, and C.H. Booth Library, all named in honor of family members.

She also is responsible for the beautification of The Village Cemetery, and for the contribution of the Liberty and Peace Monument, now named the Soldiers and Sailors Monument.

Beyond his ability to count, or to name, are other mothers here during the 1700s when Newtown began.

“Those women were incredible; they did a lion’s share of work and are unsung,” said Mr Cruson. Their names never were recorded for any particular accomplishment, he noted, “but that does not diminish their motherhood.” Prompting the imagination, Mr Cruson suggested, “Take every modern, labor saving device and remove it, then run your home, laundry, meals, children without those devices,” he said. “Motherhood was a full time job.” An entire day was devoted to laundry, another day to baking, etc. “Tasks took all day,” Mr Cruson said. Baking for example required stoking and maintaining a fire, mixing the dough, baking loaves, and finally, the day was over. “Moms were hard workers,” he said.

“Maybe we can remember the heroics of their job and [and the fact they] didn’t get notoriety,” he continued. “They’re the unsung heroes of our history.”

As mentioned earlier, Mother Goose on the Loose programs are free of charge. Reservations are not needed; children can toddle in with their parents any Wednesday morning.