Former MA First Lady Lauren Baker Kicks Off 'Mom Talk' North Shore Speaker Series

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — The first in a series of "Mom's Night Out" events from Mom Connection founder Caroline Allen will include a special guest chat with former Massachusetts First Lady and Wonderfund founder Lauren Baker Wednesday night at The Landing in Marblehead.

Allen, the Swampscott mother who founded The Mom Connection early this year as a way to provide new North Shore mothers with a network to share experiences and gain support, said the Mom Talk events will give those participating a chance to meet at an in-person social event and listen to women who have balanced raising children with being business owners, entrepreneurs, medical experts, and current and former political leaders.

"Whether you worked all day, stayed home with the kids all day, or a little of both, this night is time for you to get out of the house, meet up with friends or make some new ones, listen to an inspirational speaker, and do something for you," Allen told Patch. "So often, moms do so much for others throughout the day — for their kids, their spouses, their jobs, work around the house, and more.

"Mom Talk is an opportunity for moms to reclaim some time for them, to get out of the house, and connect with other moms in the process."

Allen told Patch she founded the Mom Connection as a way to fill what she felt was a void between the support that expecting mothers get during pregnancy and the friend network that typically develops around children's events as they get older and become involved in sports and other activities.

"It is really hard to have meaningful, cohesive conversations with other moms while your kids are present," Allen said. "Mom Talk gives moms the opportunity to have a night out to engage and connect with other moms — whether they are old-time friends or brand new connections. In doing so, you are filling your own bucket so you can better show up for your kids and everyone else in your life the next day."

Baker, the Swampscott resident who was the state's First Lady from 2015 through 2023, will speak at the first event held Wednesday in Marblehead from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

"I love the concept of The Mom Connection," Baker said. "It's really hard to be a parent, especially a new parent. You have so many questions and it can be so isolating, but this organization creates opportunities for moms to build parenting knowledge and confidence and to connect to a community of other parents in meaningful ways.

"Events like the 'Mom Talks' create the unique opportunity to learn from a wide range of leaders in the world of parenting so moms can be empowered with knowledge and equipped with the tools to navigate the joys and challenges of motherhood. The Mom Connection is a hugely valuable resource to new moms in our area."

Allen told Patch she had nearly three dozen women registered for the first event by early April with three weeks still go to before the evening. Those interested in attending this or future "Mom Talk" programs can go here. Space is limited.

"I am thrilled to welcome Lauren Baker as our first keynote speaker," Allen said. "I am eager to hear about Lauren's wins and woes of raising three kids in Swampscott, her advice for moms, and how she finds a balance between family time and other obligations.

"I could not think of a better way to kick off this series."

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)