By ALESHA CADET

Tribune Features Reporter

acadet@tribunemedia.net

With the firm belief that family is the foundation on which the Bahamas was built, Parchomas (Parents Choice Bahamas) is hosting fun and educational expos to impact the direction society is headed in from the earliest stage.

And the public is responding, as parents-to-be were out in full force last Saturday for Parchomas' second annual "Ready To Bloom" baby expo and diaper derby.

From a Belly Bump Contest and Daddy Olympics, to belly painting, a kids performance activity by the Stepping Stone Christian Academy, and a session on maternal and child health, there was a lot to do for mommies and mommies-to-be at the Sapodilla Estate.

"There were happy pregnant women with lots of smiles. Yes, the event is informative, but it's also fun-filled with people who look like they are going through similar changes like you," said Jasadette Hepburn of Parchomas.

"What we teach in our classes repetitively is the importance of connection, family, and 'bringing the village back'. If we can now start empowering the family from the early stage, we can impact our country and change direction from were we are headed as a society."

For Jasadette, Parchomas means so much more than just an organisation to host baby expos. Her goal is to empower families, as she believes family is the cornerstone in the foundation of the Bahamas.

"Our five-year plan was to concentrate specifically on mother and child, from pregnancy to baby. Experience seems to always be the best teacher, and I always speak about my initial walk of passage transitioning to a mother. I thank God that my mother is not only around, but she is also a nurse. However, I thought to myself, everyone doesn't have a mom and not everyone's mom is a nurse. After much (consideration), the idea of a full expo came into play," she said.

"Originally, we wanted to launch a Baby Expo in 2014, but like a baby, the process of growth must take place. What really hit home for us was two years ago during our workshop, entitled 'Baby It's Cold Outside', several of our parents were so thankful and indicated that they need this. Here we are in 2018, four years later, launching our second expo and we couldn't be more grateful and humbled."

She believes pregnant moms - especially first-time moms - have a great need to be guided through this special time of their lives. And Parchomas is constantly looking for information that will help them through their pregnancy as well as give them the confidence they need to look after their little one when they arrive.

"It is important to ensure that moms and moms-to-be are receiving the correct information through a forum such as this. We would also like to ensure that we equip mothers with safe and realistic skills for their motherhood experience. The event brings together under one roof all leading brands, service providers and players, big and small, within the industry who take care of moms and their little ones," said Jasadette.

As the year continues, the organisation will host events such as "Make Mom's Day" for Mother's Day; seminars like "The BIG Latch On"; pregnancy workshops and a book release. For more information, contact 433-8904 or 565-8260.