For many new parents, the arrival of a baby is a joyous occasion filled with excitement and anticipation.
But with the thrill of welcoming a newborn comes the reality of sleepless nights, diaper changes and countless hours spent rocking a crib.
A couple of volunteers have been doing their part to help make those early days a little cozier for families on Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
Laura Benner, a retired Navy spouse who now calls Leavenworth home, has been crocheting handmade baby blankets for new parents on the post, and Sun Rodgers, Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Finance employee, has been crocheting baby hats for newborns.
Inspired by her own experiences as a military spouse and mother, Benner said she wanted to find a way to give back to the community that had given so much to her family.
"I know many times military families can feel like a number, but receiving handmade blankets and hats felt personal and made me feel welcomed,” Benner said, referencing the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society’s “Baby’s First Sea Bag” program that inspired her.
Benner was new to crocheting when she picked up a crochet hook in October of 2022. Since then she has explored different ways to create with the craft and has made many blankets and animal toys for local babies.
Each blanket takes Benner several hours to complete, but she said she considers it time well spent. She uses soft, baby-friendly yarn in a variety of colors and patterns, ensuring each blanket is unique, like the baby it will wrap.
For Benner, the satisfaction comes not just from the act of crocheting itself, but from knowing she is making a positive impact on the lives of military families. She said she understands the challenges that come with military life, and she is committed to supporting those who serve.
Benner works with Army Community Service’s New Parent Support Program to distribute the blankets to new parents.
The New Parent Support Program is available to parents from pregnancy to children 3 years of age. The program offers education in prenatal care, childbirth and newborn care. The program offers home visits to help new parents better understand the development changes they can expect in the first three years.
“In those first three years, those kiddos change so much, and if we can help parents get ahead of those changes and be aware that they are coming and how best to handle those somewhat challenging behaviors, it can be really helpful for the families,” said Amy McCauley, child and family specialist with New Parent Support Program.
The New Parent Support Program also offers several social programs that include playgroups, stroller walks, and nights out for mothers and fathers. One new program is a Wednesday morning Toddler Time, which is a gentle introduction to a more formal playgroup, with circle time and free play.
“It is a hard transition for kids when they start preschool (if) we haven’t had them practice those skills,” McCauley said.
Jennifer Garrett, a mom who has used the New Parent Support Program with her 2-year-old daughter, Natalie, and 5-month-old son, John, said she and the children enjoy attending the playgroup.
“It's a bit of a break when (my daughter) plays in a safe space, and I can sit and chat with other moms; we give each other advice,” Garrett said.
With handmade blankets in hand and a wealth of classes available to them, new parents to Fort Leavenworth have many resources available to them. New Parent Support Program information and class times can be found at https://leavenworth.armymwr.com/programs/acs/family-advocacy. Call 913-684-2808 for more information.
Social Sharing