Working Moms of Fairfield County
Being a working parent can have its challenges. Juggling work responsibilities—sometimes more than one job at that—your children’s schedules, and the all elusive “me time” seems nearly impossible. Sometimes I almost have to add “give yourself a pat on the back” to my daily to-do list just so I can be sure to feel accomplished. Don’t get me wrong, it’s not always like this, days aren’t always filled with stress, but that never ending list of goals to achieve continuously grow longer, and taking time away to regroup and refresh just isn’t in the cards. Or so it seems…
Luckily for us, we have people in our communities who help facilitate fun outings for those of us who don’t have the time and brain power to plan things ahead. I LOVE meeting people like this!!! Everyone, meet Amber French.
Amber has lived in Fairfield for 12 years and has been a resident of Fairfield County for nearly twenty-two. By day she’s a Point of Sale Manager for Proximo Spirits in New Jersey, and by night she manages her brain child: Working Moms of Fairfield County (WMOFC). Simply put, WMOFC was created to coordinate events catering to working moms who, due to their full time jobs, only have weekends to let loose, and unfortunately find it hard to plan get togethers with friends who use week days for get togethers and weekends for family time. So, starting in 2009, Amber began hosting monthly playdates rotating at various members’ houses in each town throughout Fairfield County. She also started a Moms' Night Out once a month to offer a night a month for moms to let loose, breathe and socialize—something moms of infants and toddlers rarely get a chance to do.
Once I started the group, I immediately began to see the benefits, not only for myself, but for others, which was motivating. There was nothing that existed at the time for moms in terms of an easily accessible community, at least not in Fairfield County. The playdates and monthly mom's night out were so much fun. It's imperative for new moms to have comradery, especially that first year, where you're in uncharted and sleep deprived territory. That socialization, advice, and connection gives you a little endorphin boost . It was the proverbial village we all needed and having an online platform allowed for a way to tap into that helpful village.
— Amber French / Founder, Working Moms of Fairfield County
Today, the group is 9,500 followers strong and functions as a much larger community resource.
A way to crowdsource information and advice from fellow community members, get referrals for businesses and services, help connect people looking for jobs or companies looking to hire, physician referrals, parenting articles, town events, and more. Amber even kindly allows people in the group to advertise their business on Sundays between 12-3 p.m. for free!
About three years ago, Amber recruited her friend, Jennifer Michael—a top contributor in the group—to be her co-admin, and to her delight, Jennifer accepted. Together, they have plenty of plans in the works! Working Moms of Fairfield County puts on an event every year around the holidays. It may be an ugly sweater party that doubles as a toiletry drive, a sip and shop where proceeds go to charity, or a Project Night Night bag packing event. Now come March, Amber wanted to switch things up and really come up with something memorable and unique. This time, not only for working moms, but also for couples and even singles looking to experience a bit more excitement rather than the usual routine date nights.
Enter “The Winter Whiskey Mingle” in New York City at the Great Jones Distillery.
“I’ve been to the distillery a few times now for work related events, and I fell in love with its ambiance and romantic Gatsby-esque energy. I thought it would be really cool to host an event there, something off the beaten path that wasn’t so close to home in Fairfield County.”
When else do you get to dress up and glam up, have an amazing experience in New York City (arguably one of the coolest cities in the world), all for the unbeatable price of $60 per person?
With food and drinks included! Open bar for 3 hours in a gorgeous space which also holds a HUGE history, being the first legal distillery in NYC since the prohibition! Cool factor definitely went up with that one!
Amber hopes that this event can be the first of many future events that bring a different quality and experience to a gathering with friends, a date night, or a singles night out where they might meet that special someone. This one may be in New York, and maybe the next one is a picnic somewhere special in the summer! We'll have to wait and see…
Get your tickets to the Winter Whiskey Mingle NOW!
USE CODE IAFM FOR $5 OFF!
NOTE: Ticket sales end Feb. 28th and are not available for purchase at the door.
See you there!
