Community Spotlight: The Parenting Village

There’s a new Mommy & Me in the South Bay, The Parenting Village and we are so excited!  Being a mom of a little one is so wonderful, but can also be challenging and full of questions.  The Parenting Village is bringing together moms in the South Bay to offer support, education and connection with other moms!  Read our community spotlight below!  And if you are pregnant or have a baby, check out their upcoming classes.

This is a sponsored post, but we are selective on the companies we work with to ensure they align with our community.

Tell us about your company: 

“The Parenting Village is a parent education company focused on education, support, and connection. We offer Mommy and Me classes for moms and babies up to 12 months of age that are intimate, topic-based, and informative. We also offer informal parenting groups for moms only – a safe place to share ideas and experiences, meet other moms, and problem solve with your instructors and classmates.”

What inspired you to launch this business?

“We have both lived in the South Bay for more than 20 years.  We love raising our children here, have met many of our best friends in our early days as parents in Mommy and Me, and were ready to help other moms find their Village! While we have both loved the abundance of activities for our babies and toddlers over the years we have been raising kids in the South Bay, we felt that there was a need for a class that supported moms of brand new babies with research-based information, small groups, and babies close in age.”

What is one of your proudest moments?

“We absolutely love watching the connections and friendships as they form between the moms in our classes.”

What can one expect when working with you/visiting your location?

“We are conveniently located inside FitOn studios in Manhattan Beach with plenty of easy, free parking! Our Village moms can expect to learn about their baby’s development, share their postpartum experiences, meet their Village, and build strong connections that will support them for years to come. Our classes meet weekly for 90 minutes and include a brief welcome and check-in, a topic-based lesson plan, time to ask questions, and music for the babies. Over the course of the 10-week sessions moms are exposed to a wide array of topics and community-based guest speakers.”

Tell us a little about you: 

“I (Katie Brodkin) have my bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education. After earning my Teaching Credential and teaching pre-school and third grade, I took some time off to raise my 4 children. For the last 14 years I have been teaching Mommy and Me Classes at the South Bay Family Tree. I have enjoyed guiding and supporting parents in developing and nurturing relationships with their young children. It was this passion of teaching and connection with other parents that inspired me to start my own program. A California native, I have raised all 4 of my children in Manhattan Beach. My family has a strong belief in giving back to their schools and local community. Being a mom has and always will be my most favorite job!”

“I (Rachel Dilsaver) hold a Master’s degree in early childhood education. I was a nanny for over 10 years and taught preschool as a part of my Master’s program. I have also worked with families as a parenting consultant in a variety of areas, including sleep, feeding, hiring help, and local education decisions. I have also been a tutor, camp counselor, and was a mentor with Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters for five years. I now love being a mom to an outgoing, energetic, and talkative 4 year old girl and an independent 2 year old girl with a great sense of humor and a stubborn streak.”

What do you enjoy doing in the South Bay when you are not working?

“Spending time with our families at the beach, walking our dogs, on the Strand, eating at local restaurants, and enjoying the beautiful Southern California weather!”

How do you give back to the community?

“I (Katie Brodkin) am one of the founders of Amigos Unidos, a service group for high school boys. I have spent countless hours volunteering with both of my older boys and looks forward to participating with my younger son. Amigos Unidos mission is to instill in the boys a sense of community and develop a life long spirit of volunteerism. My daughter Jenna and I have just joined National Charity League together and are looking forward to working with new philanthropies. I have also spent time volunteering at my children’s school and various school boards. Giving back to my community and instilling a sense of service in my children has always been a priority for me!”

The Parenting Village

We are located inside FitOn Studios in Manhattan Beach, CA.
2407 N Sepulveda Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
www.parentingvillagesouthbay.com