In Sept 2020 we ran our first Mother Daughter Retreat Day and over the past 4 years they have become one of the most anticipated days in our calendar. This year we began our Spring Events with our First Mother & Daughter Retreat of the year and also the first one in the Benburb Area. The day was facilitated by our Mentors Sarah Logan and Mary Mc Crink another first, as for previous Retreat Days our Founder Joanne was the Facilitator. This is an exciting stage for us, it means our Mother Daughter Retreats Days are now being offered in more areas.
What makes these days so special.?
Away from the distractions of daily life, our retreat day's create a space for nurturing and connection. Strengthening the special bond between mothers and daughters as they move towards the next stage of their journey together. Through fun activities, shared experiences and meaningful conversations we create a day that will always be remembered.
"In ancient civilisations, young women would have learnt about their changing bodies from other women in their communities who would have gathered in a “Red Tent” during Menstruation. This was a beautiful way to support and nurture girls on the journey to becoming Young Women our Mother Daughter Retreat Days recreate a modern day version. " Joanne Callan - Founder Changing Cycles.
In more recent history, menstruation has been shrouded in stigma and silence, seen as a taboo subject that is rarely openly discussed. Thankfully based on their own experience and wanting to do things differently for their daughters and the next generations, mums of today are doing things differently.
Simply by coming along to our Retreat Day a Mother has the opportunity to break down these barriers for her and her daughter and to openly explore the natural cycles of their bodies.
Menstruation, much like the changing seasons, is a natural rhythm that is intricately woven into the fabric of womanhood. By embracing this aspect of their shared experience, mothers and daughters can engage in conversations that normalise menstruation, dispel myths, and foster a sense of empowerment and understanding.
The retreat day offers time and space for a mother to share her experiences, wisdom, and insights with her daughter and with the support of our Mentors guide her through the journey into womanhood with compassion and knowledge. It allows the daughter to ask questions, seek guidance, and deepen her understanding of her body and its cycles, paving the way for a healthier relationship with her body and her cyclical feminine nature.
Through simple activities, discussions, and shared moments of reflection, the mums and girls that attend are supported on a journey of discovery - not only about menstruation but also about themselves, each other, and the sacred and special bond that unites them.
It's a day of laughter, tears, revelations, and closeness and forging memories that will linger long after the retreat comes to an end.
As the sun sets on the Mother-Daughter Retreat Day, both mother and daughter emerge with hearts full of love, minds enlightened, and spirits rejuvenated.
They carry with them the knowledge that they are part of an unbroken chain of women, connected through generations, cycles, and seasons - a bond that is as enduring as time itself.
What Our Mentors say.
"I was so grateful to hold space for our first Mother Daughter Retreat Day in the beautiful sacred grounds of Benburb Priory.
We began the day by asking the girls what they were most excited about for the day and the most common response was "spending time with their mums". "
The day was a wonderful day of connection between the mothers and their daughters a chance to spend quality time together. As a Mum I know this a key Love Language that can often become more challenging to meet during the Pre Teen/Teen particularly in the busy world in which we live. You can find out more about Love Languages here. https://biglifejournal.com/blogs/blog/connect-child-activities-love-languages
Blessed with some early spring sunshine we spent time in the beautiful grounds of Benburb Priory the trees providing beautiful shade. A perfect place to remind ourselves that we are part of nature and opportunity to feel connected with they cycles and rhythms within us and around us. The day offered the opportunity of time together, the chance to laugh, smile, and learn, sharing special moments, making memories and writing a new menstruation story for the families that joined us. I am looking forward to facilitating these special days in my local area as I have seen first hand the impact they can have. " - Sarah Logan.
You can hear more from our Mentors and their passion for the vision of Changing Cycles on the videos linked below and you may also wish to have a read at some of the other linked Blogs.
What those that attended say.
Mother Daughter Retreats Day feature in our Spring, Summer and Autumn events if you would like to join us for our next one check out our Events page: https://www.changingcyclescommunity.com/changing-cycles-events
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