California American Mothers gives Service to USC Medical Center NICU Department

PIctures of our trip to the USC Medical Center as we delivered new baby kits to new mothers. Some of the babies in the NICU were as small as  3 pounds. What a marvelous hospital this is and they do so many good things for these families! 

Thank you USC Medical Center for allowing us to do our small part for you 

while you do so much for everyone you serve!

Ideas for Service

So many of you have ask what kind of projects to do in your areas that I feel a list of ideas would be most helpful to you. These are only a few and will probably give you a starting point or better yet spark an idea of your own.  I believe in the old saying that goes... "Great ideas are seldom original but borrowed!" I say... "That's what life is all about."  Follow those who have gone before you and build upon the past of others. You are most welcome to add comments to this post and share your ideas with all of us.

1. Get to know your community. What organizations are already in place that help women and children? Why start something new if you can help one that is already in place. Find out their needs and help in those areas.

2. Contact your local library to see if they will partner with you on a lecture series for mothers while their children are at reading time in the library.  Contact local professionals in the areas with expertise in motherhood and parental guidance that all young mothers need to augment their skills. Those professionals will give a level of expertise to the lectures.

3. Contact the local Children's Social Services to see if there is anything you can do for them.  I heard of one group who collected stuffed animals and made blankets to give to small children when they were taken out of their home because of court order.  The blanket and small animal were a comfort to the children at a time of unrest in their lives.

4. Call your local school district to see if there are programs in place for after-school that you may help with.  One organization in our community has a complete mentoring program for children who have no one at home after school.  They provide tutoring to help with homework as well as a safe place for them to be.  Many items can be donated to groups like this.

5. Have a book drive to give to the local homeless family shelters in your area.

6. Look on the internet for service ideas. We live in a wonderful time when the world is at your fingertips.  Ideas are plentiful and shared by everyone.

7. If your group of American Mothers is small, partner with a local community women's organization or Faith Community.  See if their group would be willing to work with you on an idea you have set up and created.  Not only will you make many new friends but you will also let them be aware of what American Mothers is all about.

8. Contact the local county hospital and see if they are in need of baby items for the mothers who come in to have their babies yet have nothing to put on them when they take them home from the hospital.  Our local American Mothers just delivered over 200 baby kits to the local county hospital.  They were overjoyed with our donation to them.  Those baby kits will be greatly appreciated.

9. Have a block party on your street to organize a project for the community that you as neighbors can work together on.

10. Involve your family! I cannot think of a better way to teach children to think of others as when they serve others themselves.  

Most of all remember that service in a personal thing as well as a group activity. "Have I done any good in the world today?"... is the question we should ask ourselves.  Doing service is more fun with others are involved and fills our need as women to be with other women.  Laughter, love and unity is what makes us whole.  Good luck in your adventures of service.  Many hands lighten the load. 

 by Bev Nelson, California American Mother's President. 

National Mother of the Year 2013 Visits California

Judy Cook, the National Mother of the Year 2013 and her husband Fred Cook came over  for a visit with Renee Star California Mother of the Year 2013.  They were here from Utah to visit their children and grandchildren. Renee's husband, Jonathan was also present.  The four of Them had a wonderful lunch and visit together.  Judy is an amazing lady who is an inspiration to us all.  They discussed ideas on how to promote the American Mothers in our Areas. Judy enjoyed looking at the packets that the Mesa Oaks residents and the Relief Society organization of the Covina, California area have put together for the L.A. County and USC Medical Center. We will be visiting and touring the Medical Center soon. 

They talked a lot about the difference that each of us can make in our communities as we share a part of ourselves and strive to lift others in need.

Map from the Washington Post

Are They Ready To Go?

After having our children home for a reunion I was amazed to see how easy it was for them to revert back into their childhood roles and pecking order even though some are responsible adults with children of their own.  This reverting back pertains to us mothers as well. Once you have mothered it is hard to stop, though fulfilling the role of grandmother eases the emptiness of not mothering your own children.  The best part of being a grandmother is watching the full circle of development…your children now become the parents of their own children and you sit back, watching how your parental training is being implemented by the next generation. 

While pondering their visit, ironically on my Internet popped up a list of childhood events outlining signs of developmental milestones regarding a child’s readiness to leave home.  I was curious to read someone else’s viewpoint on this topic since I’ve been through this process a few times now.  The events listed were very “text book” if I can use that expression. 1) Your child is able to leave your side for minutes at a time to play alone. 2)  They play at a friend’s home without you. 3) They can walk, ride a bike or take a bus to school. 4) They develop the ability to stay home alone.  You can see where this is going!  All events listed above display either a physical or basic emotional growth of a child. I couldn’t help think that these events just happen as a natural growth process without any thought or training. It is the behaviors we teach and characteristics developed that will help children, not only be ready to go off on their own, but to be confident in their ability to leave home and to give back to society in a positive manner. 

When do you really know that a child is ready to leave?  What do they need to learn before that time comes?  These are age old questions I’m sure since each child is so different.   Our teachings should go further than the text book development.  For every person reading this article they could provide as many different perspectives as to when we know a child is ready to leave home and with what attributes.  In my own experience I can personally suggest four attributes to be the most important in demonstrating when a child is ready to leave home. 

1. The ability to forgive others. 

2. The ability to show kindness. 

3. The ability to forgive self.

4. A willingness to serve those whom they associate with. 

As you look at these four characteristics you can see that they demonstrate maturing from childhood to adulthood.   It contrasts the development of a toddler in diapers with self-indulgent behavior like taking back their toy to a young man standing in a suit and tie ready to serve with thoughts and actions of giving himself and expressing his concern for others.  These traits are not developed overnight, and everyone on the road to maturity can relapse to self-absorbed behavior.  Thinking back on lessons taught these concepts are reinforced over and over again demonstrating to me that we are all children who are being taught how to leave home successfully.

Shortly after one of our children left for college he called complaining of homesickness and expressed his desire to leave school and return home.  With my mother’s heart I loved to hear those words but wisdom told me that this would be the worst thing.  I reminded him how excited he had been to go off on his own and to be away. I also reminded him of some of the contention that had taken place right before he left reinforcing his need to be on his own which develops the next stage of independence. I then suggested, “It is better to be homesick and away… than sick of home with no where to go.” Daily phone calls and emails helped the situation…or maybe it was just the thought of the alternative…being at home.  Having a choice always makes the situation better. Our children’s independence will come easier for them, with our ability to let them go.

Contributed by Bev from California

Mom To Mom ... Table Talk

“How will I ever love another child? I love Alicia more than anyone else in the world.”  This was the question that I asked myself at age 22 when I found out that I was pregnant with my second child, Brandon.   How our first child even survived the googolplex of kisses that I planted on her is a mystery to me.  Experiencing the love I had as a new mother gave me a pounding heart and a depth of feeling that I had never felt before.  Thirty seven years later at the age of 59 I remember those feelings with fondness and now have a greater understanding of how broad and vast our ability to love is.

Grandchildren, another new feeling of love!  I’m experiencing a crazy, out-of-control loving feeling for my grandchildren!  How can this be possible?  What an amazing feeling?  My heart is pounding again! It’s hard to believe that our fourteenth grandchild will be born within the next two weeks.  Our quiver is already full of grandchildren, but I can guarantee that we will find room for this next child and many more that we hope to be blessed with.   I love being in love with them.  And would you believe that all 6 children, foster children and thirteen (so far) grandchildren have endured all of those kisses?  What is a googolplex times 24 children?  It doesn’t get much better than that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Great grandchildren?  My lips are puckered and my heart is pounding already!

Renee Starr, California Mother of the Year 2013

Chapter Area Happenings... Inland Valley

Next workshop to benefit newborns at Los Angeles County Hospital.  Thanks to the generous donations of Mesa residents we have adequate flannel material supply and a supply of onesies. We now only need boy and girl sleepers.  

Last night the volunteer cutters, ironers, material coordinators, pinners, sewing machine operators, and assemblers prepared 12 packets of items for newborns while enjoying the fellowship of their neighbors.

From Renee Starr.... Inland Valley

Chapter Area Happenings... Santa Barbara

It's Back to School Time! Out in Valencia we are helping a Single Mothers Outreach fill 300 backpacks by August 10th. They are in need of crayons, pens, pencils, colored pencils, rulers, spiral notebooks, folders, glue, and erasers If anyone has items to donate please drop off at my house or contact me for pickup Much appreciated!!

From Darcy Ure from the Santa Barbara Chapter

Mom To Mom... Table Talk

My two youngest (5 weeks and almost 2) and I were sick. After a long night of being up with the baby, I was exhausted. I was laying in bed feeding the baby and my toddler was climbing all over us needing some mommy-time. Both boys started crying. After the baby took a few knees and elbows, I put the toddler in the hallway and closed my bedroom door. He dropped on the floor in front of my door and cried. I felt so helpless! How could I take care of both of my sick boys and my two older girls while feeling terrible myself? I'm so grateful for my two daughters who saw a need and stepped up without even being asked! Sarah (7) took her crying younger brother into her room and played with him. Autumn (9) emptied the dishwasher and washed dishes left over from breakfast.

Being a mom is not always flowers and sunshine. But watching and listening to my girls step up and take care of things reminded me that being a positive example is imperative. I'd like to think that my daughters knew what to do because they've watched and learned from me, but I'm not sure that's true. Women are born with the compassion and desire to care for others, and that is what I witnessed. I'm eager and excited to watch my girls grow up and become mothers, they will do such a great job! But in the meantime I'll try to teach them everything I know and nurture the womanly traits they were born with.

From Stephanie... Young Mother of the Year 2013

Chapter Area Happenings

These are pictures of the American Mothers/ Mesa Oaks resident's first humanitarian workshop for the month of June in Covina, California.  The flannel blankets that we are making for distressed, preemie and babies from struggling families are so.......cute!  We bought some new and slightly used onsies and sleepers and washed and ironed them.  Then we put the three items in a gallon size Ziploc baggie with a note enclosed saying "Lovingly made by the American Mothers and the Mesa Oaks residents".  

We had such a blast.  The neighbors were so grateful that someone who knew what she was doing could organize these workshops for them.  They expressed that they always wanted to do something humanitarian, but didn't know how to go about doing it.  We worked the scheduled 1 1/2 hours but no one wanted to leave.  We ended up working 3 hours.  Some of us will be going on a field trip to the Los Angeles County Hospital where these packets will be donated to.  Next week is our 2nd workshop.  The board of directors for our neighborhood are now talking about donating to humanitarian efforts on an annual basis.  I think that when we put forth the effort to organize things that people will do what ever they can to support it.  There are a lot of good people in the world. 

Article in the Deseret News, Utah

Stephanie McKnight... California Young Mother of the Year 2013

Stephanie Williams McKnight, named by American Mothers, Inc. as the California Young Mother of the Year, followed the promptings of the Spirit to lay the foundation for her family before she had even found the gospel.

She obtained special permission from the dean of California State University-San Bernardino to take up to 26 credit hours per semester while working as well. "It was a very busy time, but I knew that I was doing it for a reason," McKnight said of her college years. "Looking back, I see that it was a total prompting from the Spirit to get me in the right place at the right time."

She joined the church when she was 21. She had always wanted to be a stay-at-home mom because of her mother's example of commitment to motherhood.

Her final year of college was a busy one — at age 22 she finished her master's degree and married Mitch McKnight. She also became a mother to her husband's two daughters from his first marriage.

At age 25, McKnight is the youngest Young Mother of the Year for 2013. She lives in the small town of Ramona in rural California with her husband, two daughters, two sons, a dog, some chickens and a covey of quail. Her dream of being a mother has now come true, although she never realized it would include farm animals.

"I don't know how this happened," she said with a laugh.

Taking care of the animals is a family affair, and the quail and eggs are considered part of the family's food storage. McKnight is already signed up to teach a class on quail-raising for the school 4-H club when her daughter joins next year.

McKnight continues to use her teaching degrees. She recently began home schooling her daughters. She says this was an inspired decision that has also allowed her to keep teaching, which she enjoys.

She keeps her active, growing family on track by focusing on Christ. She gave one example of teaching her children about kindness by using examples from the scriptures.

"I don't want to just tell them, 'No, it's not right to be unkind,'" she said. "I also want to tell them why from a biblical perspective."

Drawing on companionship from her Relief Society sisters in the Ramona Oaks Ward, especially the examples of her visiting teachers, has helped guide McKnight as a mother. She joined the church less than four years ago but this support along with her love for her family and the Savior make up for any lack of church experience. She tries to visit the women in her ward regularly, cultivating those friendships that will strengthen them both.

"I hope my children remember that I always tried to be an example for them of living a Christ-centered life," she said.

Working to first gain the trust of her two daughters and then add her sons into the family was not easy. However, McKnight began working hard to lay the foundation for her family years before she knew them. "The whole LDS perspective on raising children is that it isn't something that ends," she said. "This is a process that is going to keep us together for eternity." 

Delivering Baby Blankets

After months of work and many volunteers here are some of us delivering 50 blankets and baby kits to a local organization that educates unwed mothers. What a great service they do to teach these young girls about the changes that will happen once they become mothers. It is our pleasure as American Mothers Inc. to help this organization.

Deseret News Article.... Utah, Renee Starr

San Bernardino County Supervisor's Office Report

Rancho Cucamonga Resident Helping Recognize Mothers

Rutherford Report

San Bernardino County Supervisor’s Office. May 2013

When Bev Nelson learned about some inappropriate activity that took place during her oldest son’s overnight trip with his high school chorus, she went straight to the principal to let him know how she felt about the lack of supervision. 

“He said something that really made me stop and think,” Nelson said. “He said, ‘Where were you?’” 

For the next 15 years, Nelson—a Rancho Cucamonga resident and the mother of eight planned—organized, and chaperoned countless chorus trips, including journeys to competitions in Canada and Europe. 

“I made sure that the parents who went on the trip knew what their responsibilities were in terms of supervising the students,” she said. 

Nelson’s involvement in the chorus trips as well as her active role in her children’s schools, scouting, sporting, and other activities helped her earn the California 2012 Mother of the Year award from American Mothers Inc., a national nonprofit group that recognizes the important role of motherhood through educational programs and community outreach. 



Each of the women selected as Mother of the Year for their state are featured in online videos produced by American Mothers. In her video, Nelson encourages young mothers to surround their children with “wonderful adult role models.” 

“They need to look at other people besides you for encouragement and wisdom,” said Nelson, who serves as president of the California Association of American Mothers. “It only validates what you as a mother teach them.” 



Now, she is working to start a local chapter of American Mothers to work on local community service projects, such as collecting donations for domestic violence shelters, and to host events to educate young mothers and to recognize local mothers for the work they do. 

“Most mothers are the unsung heroes of the world,” Nelson said. “They do so much for their families without any desire for recognition.” 

About a year and a half ago, Nelson helped start the Upland Community Service Council to bring local service organizations such as Rotary,Lions, and Kiwanis clubs as well as local churches together to cooperate on community projects. 

“This kind of effort just builds unity in the community,” she said. “And isn’t that what you try to do when you are a mom?” 

If you would like more information about the Upland Community Service Council or the local chapter of American Mothers, send an email to Nelson at bevpnelson@gmail.com.