I’m not a churchgoing woman, but I’ve always valued the strong community support that remains available to my family at my childhood church in South Glastonbury, CT. “Our” congregation gets a whole lot right about the nature of community, what to provide and how to foster it.
Driving past another church recently I noticed a sign:
“Childcare is Provided”
Becoming a mom changes every small aspect life. Lots that I used to do slipped away, no longer practical for a woman with two tiny babies. That sign washed a small wave of comfort over me. My needs, anticipated. Provided for. My needs were no problem. I was welcome.
I immediately thought of MotherGooseMouse and J&J’s Camp Baby. Sure, it was designed to be a child-free weekend. But newborns and nursing moms are exceptional. Complications meant I was barely able to get out of bed three weeks after both daughters’ births. Separating for a business trip would have been impossible (call it a getaway, but J&J was paying because it met their business interests).
Even without complications neonate nursing pairs can’t really separate for more than a few hours. It’s a simple need to anticipate. It’s not hard to work around. It’s amazing she was willing to attend (again, in J&J’s business interests) with such a tiny baby. I know because I attended an all-day nonprofit board meeting with a very tiny S worn in a “sling,” napping or nursing at will. To the detriment of precisely no one.
That simple phrase outside the church bore compassion, understanding and welcome. They want younger families to attend, so they provide for a way around their biggest obstacle/anxiety.
You can apply this lesson of providing for human needs to everything: customer service, presentations, social networks, managing people, social media relations, creating communities. It’s not about coddling people or creating extraordinary expectations. Just, anticipate the most fundamental obstacles, and find small ways to reduce or remove them. Understand who you want to reach and then know how to reach out.
