At our Ronald McDonald House and Family Rooms, we see firsthand the strength, love, and resilience of moms every day. Whether you're a first-time mom navigating your baby's unexpected health journey or a grandmother stepping in to support her family, every mother who walks through our doors carries a unique story - and we're here to walk alongside her!
This Mother's Day, we're honouring all moms by highlighting the different ways RMHC SCO lifts them up during life's hardest moments.
💞New Moms
Becoming a mom is overwhelming enough. Becoming a mom while your baby is in the hospital adds a whole new level of stress. We support new moms by providing:
- A warm, welcoming place to stay just steps from the hospital
- Nutritious meals so they don't have to think about what to make for dinner
- Quiet spaces to rest and recover
- Emotional support from staff, volunteers, and other parents who truly understand
"Finding out Arlynn needed to stay in the NICU was absolutely devastating. I remember driving the hour back home to Niagara in tears over the fact that I was so far away from my baby girl."
👩👦👦Moms With More Than One Child
When one child is in the hospital, moms often struggle to balance the needs of the whole family. RMHC SCO helps moms stay connected to all kiddos by offering:
- Family Rooms in the hospital where siblings can still be kids
- Kid-friendly spaces at our House like a Games Room and Movie Theatre to help siblings feel included
- Special programming and seasonal celebrations so families can still make happy memories.
"The family activities, such as movie nights, arts and crafts, and seasonal events like Easter egg hunts, were wonderful for my son Gael. They gave him a sense of normalcy & joy during a challenging time and allowed us to create positive memories together as a family."
🕊️Moms who've Lost a Child
Some moms carry their grief every day. At RMHC SCO, we honour and support bereaved mothers by:
- Holding space for their stories & their children's names
- Providing a care package with a blanket, meals, and others items to help them during this difficult time
- Staying connected after their stay, because they are always part of the RMHC SCO family
👵🏽Grandmothers
When a child is in the hospital, it affects the whole family, including grandmothers who are watching their own children go through the unimaginable. We often hear from grandmothers how grateful they are that their child (now a parent themselves) is being cared for during such a difficult time.
At RMHC SCO, we support families in ways that give grandmothers comfort too, by:
- Easing the emotional and physical load for parents, so they can focus on their child in the hospital
- Creating a sense of home and community where families feel less alone
- Providing peace of mind that their loved ones are surrounded by compassion, comfort, and care
"The House provided our daughter Sonja with a private room and meals so she could be there for her son in the hospital. RMHC SCO was an answer to our prayers and we were overjoyed for Sonja."
This Mother's Day, You Can Make a Difference🌼
Every mother deserves support when her child is sick. Whether it's a homecooked meal, a quiet room, or simply the chance to be together, you can help provide the comforts and care mom need most.
From all of us at RMHC South Central Ontario, Happy Mother's Day!
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