Mothers from across Lagos state recently gathered at the Dr. Abayomi Finnih Park, Oregun, to unwind, indulge and engage in playful activities, in a Mummy Play Date organised by the Mum Confessions community in collaboration with the Lagos State Park and Gardens (LASPARK).
The play date, which had mothers relax and engage in meaningful connections and empowerment, captured the hearts of the attendees as they were treated to a unique shopping experience for free at a Community Corner.
There were also engaging conversations from Yeside Olayinka-Agbola, popularly known as Oloricoitus, who led an insightful discussion on sexual health, while Abimbola Craig shared her inspiring journey of transitioning to screen and answered questions from the audience.
The Lagos State Domestic and Sexual Violence Agency (DSVRT), Lagos State Residents Registration Agency (LASRRA) and Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) also engaged the mothers and provided various opportunities for them.
Speaking at the event, the Convener and founder, Mum Confessions, Tinuke Atilade, said: “In 2023 when the japa wave was growing really strong, we had quite a number of mums constantly reaching out to give out items they no longer needed.
So, I decided to introduce a community drive where mums could donate and drop off at designated points where I would pick up from and dispatch to interested mums. By the end of 2023, I realised this wasn’t sustainable as not only was it very time-consuming sorting through a ton of stuff; it had also become quite expensive to dispatch the items due to the hike in fuel prices.
“So, I had the idea to get a space where everything could be displayed and then interested mums could come in to pick up whatever they needed. It was at this point that LASPARK stepped in to support us. Since it was March, International Women’s month and Mother’s Day month, we then decided to make it an event.”
The idea was for mums to get a break and unwind, not just for their physical health, but also for their emotional and mental health too, while shopping for free.”
She noted that hosting the Mummy Play Date had a profound impact on her ability to connect with the women in her community.
“By creating a space where mothers could come together to relax, unwind and share experiences, we were able to facilitate meaningful connections and positive interactions. This was incredibly rewarding and fulfilling for me. Seeing mothers come together, support one another and form new friendships reinforced the importance of our mission at mum confessions. The event also inspired me and reaffirmed my passion for supporting and empowering mothers,” she added.
