Christy - Meetup Organizer of the Week - 5.5.08

Follow me to the OC for a chat with the Meetup Organizer of the Week for May 5, 2008, Christy, and her group, The Orange County Signing With Children Meetup

Christy is an amazing SAHM with a passion for communication on every level. Her group stemed from her interest in sign language even before her first child was born.

She's an active member of a baby-signing message board; but had the desire to interact face to face with the moms she 'met' online. Hence, The Orange County Signing With Children Meetup was born.

With many well attended fun activities offered on a weekly basis, this group is never idle! Read on and be inspired!

Baby sign language has taken off in popularity in the past 10 years or so. To what do you attribute this phenomenon?

I think as people learn more about the benefits of teaching our babies and toddlers sign language, it will continue to grow. It is an amazing thing to be able to communicate with your infant. Little things like while you are feeding them, they have the capability of telling you that they are still hungry, or don't want anymore food. By teaching them them sign, they can let you know without crying, screaming or throwing their bowl at you. :0) For a toddler who is still trying to development the motor functions of speech to be able to sign that they are thirsty is a life saver. Communication really cuts back on the tantrums. Who wouldn't want that?

How/when did you get interested in baby signing?

My husband and I started taking a sign language class before we even had children. It was just something we were interested in. When our first son was born, we started signing with him. We were amazed when he started signing back to us at around 8 months. From then on, we were hooked.

Signing with one's baby breaks through the communication/language barrier in a powerful way. Tell us about your first "ah-ha!" moment while teaching your children to sign.

Although the first "fun" moment was when our oldest was 8 months, I would have to say my "ah-ha" moment was when our youngest was around 2. He was just standing in the kitchen screaming. I calmly got down to his level, told him to stop screaming, and asked him what he wanted. As I asked questions, I also signed. "Are you hungry? Are you thirsty?" He immediately stop screaming and signed "thirsty!" I got some juice for him, and all was well with the world again. I think it was an "ah-ha" moment for him as well.

What prompted you to start this Meetup group?

I loved signing with my kids, and I knew that there were others out there that did as well. I belong to the "Signing Time" message boards (Signing Time is a program for teaching signing to children) and there was a thread discussing play groups. They were the ones who told me about Meetup. So I searched for a kid's signing group, but could find one anywhere near me. But there were several people who were interested in joining one. So I thought, why not? I will give this three months and see if anyone else is interested. In less than a month, there was no question we would continue.

Did your members find you via the site or did you advertise in other ways?

- I do not advertise. I haven't needed to. Most of our members have found us through other members, Meetup searches and from the Signing Time board. I also gave our group a name that would show up easily on a web search.

6.) Do you have a special Meetup story to share with us?

Meetup is amazing. I have made some incredible friends through my group. When I decided to try this out, I had no idea how incredible it would be. At our holiday party in December, the members went around and talked about what this has meant to them over the past year. It was amazing. There were so many wonderful things said about how much they all love and appreciate this group. It was the best gift ever. We have an incredible group of people who are supportive, caring, and fun-loving. I could not wish for a better group.

You've so many great weekly, well-attended events. Do you choose the locations on your own or with the group members?

This group is a collaboration. It does not belong to me. It belongs to all of the members. They are the ones who have helped form it and made it the group it is today. The AOs and I ask for input all the time. We also pay attention to the places people seem to enjoy the most, and make sure we return. We are also always open to new ideas. We try to keep it fresh, and fun.

Do you have any big plans for the group in 2008?

I would be thrilled if we just continue on the path we have been on. I love the friends I have made through this group. I look forward to meeting more parents that share our interest in teaching their children sign language. I am looking forward to continuing to see the friendships between both the parents and kids grow through the years to come.

Thank you Meetup for creating such a great way to meet friends and have fun. Without Meetup, I would not have meet the wonderful friends I have made through this group.

Share your congrats with Christy on the Organizer Forum!