Seating can be arranged so that mothers with babies are on the floor and mothers with toddlers are behind them so they can easily check on their children. Group workers can make sure that newcomers find the library and talk to them to make them feel comfortable. Large meetings usually mean lots of toddlers, so eliminate noisy toys. Some Groups arrange to have a mother or teenage helper provide the toddlers with focused attention in a separate room. Remember to praise the mothers for the great job they are doing with their children.
Small meetings tend to be cozier.
Indiana Leader Christine Bauman believes that flexibility is the key to making small meetings work. Her first meeting consisted of Leaders only, and since she was hosting the meeting, they turned it into a Leaders' meeting. Sitting at the kitchen table gives a small meeting a homey feel. Another option is to hold it in the playroom so that mothers can supervise their toddlers while listening to the meeting. It's a good idea to have lots of prepared questions, refer to the library, and keep the meeting less structured than larger meetings would be.