It’s Canada Day and we are excited to be able to celebrate a very large, diverse group, Canadian Tula Mamas! Canadian Tula Mamas is a Facebook group that started in September of 2013 as a place for Canadians to discuss all things Tula. Starting out as a small, intimate group, it has blossomed into a very active one: Canadian Tula Mamas now have nearly 4500 members, and a supportive, smiling admin team: Sarah Downes, Christine Taylor Ferguson, Michelle Hillyard, Josephine Sram and Kayla Steyvers!
Canadian Tula Mamas co-admin Michelle Hillyard writes that the connections this online community has created have resulted in real, lasting friendships from one side of the vast country to the other. From the rocks of Newfoundland, to the roar of Niagara Falls, the wheat fields of the prairies to the towering Rockies, the Canadian landscape is as diverse as the people who live there. She explains, “Besides all of the amazing reasons to wear our Tulas, like holding our children close, accessing hard to reach uniquely Canadian terrain and keeping warm in our freezing winter, we can’t forget the importance of being able to have our hands free to enjoy poutine, maple syrup, and Tim Horton’s coffee. We may apologize for a lot of things but keeping our little ones close will never be one of them.”
The lovely mamas of CTM were happy to share their perspective on how Tula has affected their community:
“No matter what the day brings, what mood we are in, all it takes it going ‘Up in the Tula’ to bring our energy back in harmony. Not only is spending the day with a 33 pounder in a back carry a good workout, it’s also a fabulous way for me to be close to my very busy 2 year old boy. The connection we continue to have because of our Tula means the world to me. The friendships I have made as an Admin of the Canadian Tula Mamas have changed my life. I am blessed to know such wonderful women.”
– Sarah Whalen Downes
“Babywearing for me started out as a necessity with my second child, born during a particularly cold winter. I couldn’t imagine how I would have survived during those cold months without my Tula. What I discovered though was an entire community of parents facing similar challenges as I was. The Canadian Tula Mamas Facebook group became a resource and a support group! I’ve made lifelong friendships thanks to this group, and have made connections to parents all over the country! Now at 19 months he wants to be worn a bit less, and maybe babywearing isn’t as much of a necessity for me, but the Tula still provides us with much needed comfort and snuggles! I wouldn’t give that up for the world! And equally as notable I wouldn’t be able to have my daily dose of Tim Horton’s coffee in peace as we go for our morning stroll!”
– Kayla Steyvers
“It was love at first Tula. Tula has helped me to keep my babies close and comfort them. Babywearing has extended beyond my children and has led me to find amazing mothers with similar interests. I will always remember the friendships formed as a result of being a part of the Tula community.”
– Josephine Sram
“Not only has Tula helped me do what I love, but also the community has brought me close to so many people near and far. I’ve met so many wonderful, generous, kind ladies, some that a day never passes that we don’t talk. I’ve seen Tula groups rise up in a wave of support for one another. We may all start out with one thing in common – a love for Tula carriers – but the friendships, connection and community we all have ended up sharing as well.”
– Michelle Hillyard
Some of the mamas also wanted to add a few words about how Tulas have benefitted their lives:
“Outings by myself with my 9 month old daughter have never been this easy before! I can bring my little 3 yr old niece to the dentist, go on a train with two kids, and nap time is anywhere she pleases, close to mommy.”
– Terra Barton
“It means all snuggles, all the time. Adventuring places that strollers can’t. It means bonding with your child. It’s late night soothing when teething strikes. It’s the cure-all for boo-boo’s, owies and bonks. It’s the prescription for fevers and illness. It’s a parents sanity saver. It’s a way to help baby socialize from eye level rather than below. It lets dinner get made. Houses get cleaned. It’s how we share our life. It’s love.”
– Tasha-Joanne Gandevia
“A visit to the art gallery is one of our favourite ways to spend a rainy winter day in Vancouver, and with our Tula, baby gets to see all the artworks up close– without fear that he’ll start climbing the sculptures!”
– Tracy Milton
Here are some photos of some of their lovely group adventures:
Thank you so much for sharing your group with us, Canadian Tula Mamas! We are so thankful to have such an active, supportive group, and thank you from the bottom of our hearts for all of your hard work in helping as #tulabuildscommunities!
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