RECAP! Guest Stephanie Kawai & “Mom Clothes” Swap (2019)

November 5, 2019

Free play with our toys

Twenty families, including three visiting for the first time, enjoyed a bustling autumn playgroup. We welcomed some moms who are pregnant and also parents and helpers who brought along their newborns, infants, toddlers, and preschoolers. One super kind mom even baked and shared cookies at our coffee and tea station! It was so lovely and appreciated.

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Monica and Yuna led their first circle time– and it was awesome! They selected a fantastic playlist of their children’s favorite songs including Baby Shark (Yuna even brought a toy shark to pass around which the kids loved!) and Wheels on the Bus, and we enjoyed jamming with instruments before an encore of scarf play to a Japanese classic kid’s tune.  Thanks to both moms for having the courage to try something new at our group. Just look at the smiles of both the adult and kiddo attendees enjoying the experience!

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Storytime

Oue next treat was by volunteer Mariam- who, after a brief hiatus, returned to playgroup with her two year old AND her new one month old! We were so excited to love on her and her kiddos, and really enjoyed “Please Mr. Panda” by Steve Antony for story time, a silly story about the importance of being polite. Thank you, Mariam!

We also sang “Happy Birthday” to a very special kiddo who will be celebrating this month.

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We were so grateful to our guest, Stephanie Kawai, for stopping by to say hello. She was known to most attendees at playgroup because she plays such a central role in supporting international women in their parenting journey in Tokyo. To those who don’t know Stephanie, here’s the run down: She’s  been in Japan for 19 years, has three children, and supporting women during pregnancy, labour and in motherhood in Japan is her passion. She is a coordinator of Tokyo Pregnancy Group and Tokyo Mothers Group. She’s an accredited LLL leader and offers breastfeeding support at La Leche League Tokyo Central, which also meets in the same room as we do at the FCC. She also runs Tokyo Doula Support, providing support during pregnancy, labour and the post-partum period – with birth plan consultations, birth preparation classes, breathing for birth classes, infant care classes, labour support as a birth Doula, and post-partum home visits, breastfeeding consultations and more!  Additionally, Stephanie lent her ear and gave advice and encouragement when Roppongi Co-op Playgroup was getting re-energized back in autumn of 2018. It was really wonderful to show her what the group has become and how it is growing and developing thanks to her support. Thank you, Stephanie!

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Finally, attendees participated in a”Mom Clothes” swap, an idea suggested by a follower on our Facebook page, which included women’s maternity and postpartum/ nursing clothing. We also set out some kids clothes from our previous swaps. We hope that some participants were able to find something they liked. We do have quite a bit left over. If you or someone you know is looking for some items, please contact us. Additionally, if you would like to collect the items to donate to a charitable group or institution, email us ASAP at cooperativeplaygroup12@gmail.com.

Also, here’s a shout out to Marcy and Fumi for all their help with coordinating our lunches, catered by La Petite Fourche. If you want to order a lunch during our Fall term, check the blog post for the event you will be attending and submit the order form found in the post by 12:00 noon the Monday before the meeting. Subscribing to our blog is the easiest way to get those orders in, because the meeting info (including lunch order forms) will get sent directly to your email inbox. (Edit: Catered lunches have been paused in December 2019.)

This Sunday, be sure to stop by our table at the FCC Christmas Boutique. We’ll be selling second hand children’s books generously donated by members of our community. Our friends Victoria from Bikudesigns, Bianca from Noox (Edit: Noox Japan has closed in 2020) and Katie from Katiesocrafty will also be there!

See you again this upcoming Tuesday to learn about Montessori in the home with Heidi Emoto of Kotoba and Sign. She visited the co-op last year and was a huge hit! 

Finally updated our sign to say “Playgroup & Events for FAMILIES”- not just Moms

NOTE: Photos may be taken at meetings and posted on our website, blog and social media. Please contact a volunteer AND leave a note in our registration book if you do not want you and/or your child’s image shared.

Read the original description of the event here.

“Many hands make light work.” Thanks for pitching in at our meetings!

Set up the Room

Tend to the Coffee Station

Sweep Up at the End

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RCP, a mainstay for Tokyo families!

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  circa 2012

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Always relevant, playgroup addresses the needs and interests of internationally-minded families in Tokyo. We have been meeting for 40 years!

See what other fun has been had at playgroup! Read more meeting recaps.

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Roppongi Cooperative Playgroup is a grassroots community run by parents. Playgroups are held Tuesday mornings from 10:00 – 12:00. Check our calendar for meeting dates and topics. 

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Your attendance at Roppongi Cooperative Playgroup (RCP) meetings is entirely at your own risk and discretion. RCP accepts no responsibility for any loss or injury suffered by you or anyone else in connection with attendance at the playgroup.

Photos may be taken at meetings and posted on our blog and social media.