mothers of multiples celebrates 25 years

Mother’s Day - Sunday, May 09, 2004 - The Argus Newspaper

FREMONT -- Peri Caylor is not just any mom. As a mother of 5-year-old twins, Caylor faces challenges unfamiliar to most parents. When it comes to Mother's Day, though, a mom is a mom.

"I don't think there is a difference," she said. "I do think Mother's Day is a very special holiday beyond its commercial nature, because it gives the role of parenting -- mothering in particular -- a chance to be acknowledged. I think that mothers still are not acknowledged for the work they do." To celebrate the holiday today, Caylor's family is taking the Alameda-Oakland Ferry to San Francisco to get a crab sandwich. Caylor moved to Fremont from San Mateo in 2000 when her son and daughter, Eric and Mia Szymkowski, were 14 months old. She quickly joined Tri-City Mothers of Multiples, a self-help and mutual-support group for mothers of twins, triplets and other multiples. "The club has been a lifeline for me," she said. "The women in the club became the foundation for all the friendships that I currently have in the community."

MEMBERS OF Tri-City Mothers of Multiples and their children pose in Central Park. From left:
Dianna Sexton and her children, Karen Downing and her children, Sharon Fox and her children, and Peri Caylor and her children.

The organization, which started with six moms, has grown to about 100 members and celebrated its 25th anniversary last week. "It's very exciting that it grew from just this little group of women trying to support each other," said Karen Downing of Fremont, mother of 21-month-old boy-girl twins, Jaden and Hannah. The nonprofit group meets once a month to help moms overcome some of their unique challenges, including nursing, sleeping schedules, and dealing with the attention and comments that their kids often draw from strangers. "You run into different challenges," said Downing, who joined the group when she was pregnant with the twins in May 2002. "I was really looking for support and the basic 'how do you do this' kind of thing. ... I've made a lot of great friends in the club.

Club dues are $32 annually and include membership in the National Organization of Mothers of Twins Club. The group also organizes two yard sales a year to raise money. The group publishes a monthly newsletter, "Tri-City Twinformation," has a lending library, holds play groups and other activities, and provides meals for new moms. In addition, the club offers a variety of special events throughout the year, including a "Mom's Night Out" at a local restaurant in February and a club anniversary party in May. Upcoming summer events include a barbecue and an ice cream social.

"When I found out I was pregnant with twins, the doctor's office told me I should get involved with Mothers of Multiples -- so that's exactly what I did," said Dianna Sexton of Fremont, mother of 4-year-old twin girls, Courtney and Erica. "We do have a lot of fun. There's always someone in the club who's been through what you're going through." Tri-City Mothers of Multiples meet at 7 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month. For location or more information, call (510) 888-4444.

—By Rob Dennis, STAFF WRITER

The 25th Anniversary Slide Show Presentation can be found in the Members Only section.

 

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