Natalie Mallett is a licensed professional counselor, specializing in maternal mental health, she is also a mom of 2 little girls. Natalie felt what most mothers do, and that is often the challenge of balancing work and children. It made her wonder if there were other moms out there who wanted or even needed the kind of support and service where a mom could have a few concentrated hours to focus but not necessarily be separated from her young children. So from her basement in her Queen Creek home, Natalie did an open house in September 2024 and invited some moms.
Natalie had created a space for women to come with a lap top and a baby on her hip while meeting other moms and socializing their preschool aged children. The response was what Natalie had hoped, and before long she had set up Mommy Mingle. Women can bring their children for three hour slots at a time, where they will be just feet away as you get some calm and quite to focus on work.
Inside is a main lounge with two community offices, one private, and a playroom for preschoolers aged 1-5. Moms can come in, grab a coffee, watch their child from a live feed from a desk while they get on with work, some accounts, or even catch up with other moms.
While the moms work, the children are in a classroom of five with their teacher Cassie Crismon, who is currently working on her bachelor's in childhood education. She provides a weekly lesson plan that is shared with the moms and includes art and sensory activities, along with their numbers and letters for that week. Mommy Mingle is a middle ground for those moms who want to be close to their kids but also give them some stimulation and friendships while they get to focus on work and make some friendships too.
Natalie understood that motherhood, with all the joys and wonders that come with it, can also be lonely. Every mom needs some community and in addition to a few hours of calm to focus on building a side business or working remotely, members can also enjoy monthly meet ups that can include crafts, wellness workshops, yoga, and more. Their workshops have included everything from CPR training to talking with a pelvic floor therapist. Ultimately the female centric nature of Mommy Mingle provides the care for children without forgetting the care for mom too.
Natalie's background in maternal mental health positions her very well to anticipate and respond to the mothers who have joined her co-working and childcare space. Not only that, but it is clear that she has cultivated an atmosphere where mothers not only enjoy coming with their children, but even look forward to it.
Many of the moms who gathered spoke of 'building your village' and creating trust as well as validation. For many of the women here, Mommy Mingle has been more than just a few hours of 'me time'. Instead, they have found a shared experience and support network that works with the demands of motherhood rather than compete with it.
www.mymommymingle.com