Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Fambro.
Hi Jasmine, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Make Room for Mason was created as an online community for Mamas to navigate motherhood, foster healthy dialogue on topics often faced by new moms, and provide support, friendship, and resources to aid on the journey. Communities provide a sense of belonging which has a direct impact on health and wellness (for moms and kids alike). Healthy Mamas model behaviors for their “littles” both knowingly and inadvertently. For this reason, it’s great to encourage self-love, self-care, coping skills, and mindfulness – just to name a few.
Make Room For Mason is my millennial lens on marriage, motherhood, and mental health with a sprinkle of humor. It is my hope that anyone that comes across MRFM may find relatable content that feels like home.
A few continuous segments that rotate through IG are:
– Let’s Talk Segment:
This segment opens the floor for a real-time discussion. Whether in IG stories with my personal perspective and a few pulse checks found in polls or in-feed open discussion where BOTH men and women provide their perspective. Oftentimes, the topics cross bounds for both marriage and parenthood and explore how we make room for our little ones and ourselves. A few topics that we have explored include:
– Gender Roles
– Parenting Differently
– Pregnancy and Infant Loss
– Setting Boundaries
– Unsolicited Advice
– Being Triggered
– Setting Goals / Vision Boards
– Toddler Autonomy
– Little Explorer
This segment provides a full review on Toddler Friendly places around Atlanta. I have taken the guesswork out of places to take those holiday photos, venues for birthday parties, toddler developmental activities, or a good spot for your little to get all of their energy out and have a great nap after :). A few toddler explorations that have been covered include:
– The Little Gym
– Frosty Caboose
– Southern Belle Farm
– Six Flags over Georgia
– Jack N Elle Playhouse
– Georgia Aquarium
– Catch Air Georgia
– Blippi the Musical
– Disney on Ice
– Stone Mountain Glow By Night
– Mom Motivation
Mom or not… who doesn’t need a little motivation!? This segment started as a way to “hear what I needed to hear”. As a mom, you feel as if you must carry the weight of the world. Well, let’s be honest… you can’t. But this motivation reminds me of what IS in my control, reminders for self-care and to pour back into my own cup, and finally to rest.
– DIY Refresh
As a creative, I love having the space to create or refresh. This segment time lapses through turning trash to treasure. Most items are repurposed Goodwill finds… but the finished project is rewarding nonetheless. A few refreshes completed are:
– Wooden Building Blocks
– Little Tikes Kitchen Refresh
– Bookshelf to kitchen cubby refresh
– Restaurant Highchair Refresh
-Shoe Rack Refresh
– Girls Night
Did someone say MOM’S NIGHT OUT!?!? Well… that’s what I heard. This segment journals fun things to do in Atlanta with your girls. I take MNO very seriously! If I am going to spend time away from my husband and son, it’s going to be a good time… every time!
A few Girls Night ideas shown:
– Charcuterie + Wine Workshop at AR Design Workshop in Chamblee
– Buff City Soap Custom Experience
– Carnival
There is so much in store for Make Room for Mason. We started in July 2021 and have been pleasantly overwhelmed with the growing community and engagement. On the horizon, we have a Children’s book to be published that will explore big feelings and promote emotional literacy in our little humans.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I started MRFM Instagram account in July 2021 and the road hasn’t been the most smooth road but what road would be. There is always something that steers away from my “perfectly curated” plan and add a few gray hairs to my head. I am looking to build a community that seems like a hobby on paper, but there’s so much more to it. In addition to learning about Social Media engagement best practices, the ever-changing algorithm, and creating content to share… my husband and I moved into our first home, continued to navigate the pandemic, and we both had huge career shifts. Let’s not forget about Mason and his journey through toddlerhood (woof!). For me, the struggle was to remain consistent and know that my vision takes time. I am also very, very critical of myself and my work. I want MRFM to be a safe space for women to have open dialogue, share tips and tricks for one another, and to have fun. In order to do that, I must be extremely vulnerable… with strangers! Imposter Syndrome is also difficult to combat when you are being both critical of your work (content MUST be polished) and vulnerable in what you are sharing (MUST be relatable and lived).
Before having Mason, I was an Atlanta Falcons Cheerleader for five seasons. Having your every move scrutinized in that respect still does not compare to the microscope we place mothers under. This feeling of judgment and questioning, “am I doing this right” is not something I could have anticipated. This feeling is what drives me. You can never believe “the market” is oversaturated with loving communities for moms. Our voices inspire and uplift one another.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By day, I am a Sales Enablement Analyst for a global tech company. Although I love the space that I am in, I’ve always had the desire to tap into my creative side simultaneously. While in college studying Biology, I was also in the band (where I met my husband). After college, while figuring out my 20s, working full-time and dating my husband long-distance, I also cheered for the Atlanta Falcons, performed in a movie, and got my Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
“Either or” simply doesn’t exist for me. In order to fill my cup, I must tap into all interests that give me joy. This is where we get to Make Room for Mason and what I am proud of. I take pride in being Mason’s mom. In order to be the best mom for him, I must evolve, unpack trauma that stemmed from my childhood to ensure I am not passing that experience to him, and I must make room for all that comes with being the parents we committed to. I used to feel so defeated that I was not using my degrees although fulfilled in what I was currently doing. My background in Clinical Mental Health Counseling definitely opened the space to explore mental health and now advocate for mothers returning to work through Make Room for Mamas, a second arm of Make Room for Mason. I also continue to use the tools from my time counseling and the CMH program as a parent and to share with the MRFM community.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
My two biggest cheerleaders are my husband, Derrick, and my mentor, Chato.
Derrick has known me since I was 17 years old. The time that he spent watching and growing with me is a true testimony. Just as I had to unpack a lot of my past in order to be a better parent, I had to do the same to be a better partner for him. We have evolved together and over the span of 10+ years, he has pushed me in all endeavors. Derrick even pushed me to audition for the Atlanta Falcons Cheerleaders where I met my coach/mentor Chato Hendrix.
Chato guided me on and off the field. I learned so much about owning your own brand (business and a personal brand) from Chato. Let me tell you, as a Rookie I had some growing to do. Chato was a NFL Cheer coach, a wife, a mom, a doctoral candidate, a counselor, my Soror … the list goes on! I was so inspired by her and willing to take any nugget she offered! Chato pretty much gave me a deadline to apply for my Masters. Welp, I guess I am going now 🙂
Since 2013 Chato has provided so much guidance and encouragement. This year Chato set up time to discuss MRFM with me where we set up goals for 2021. My path has not been straight since we last connected, but for good reason!
I am so grateful for both my husband and Chato!
Contact Info:
- Email: Makeroomformason@gmail.com
- Instagram: Makeroomformason
Image Credits
LaJoy Cox- LaJoy Photography Amanda Coker- Dash Photography
