As a first time parent, you literally have no idea what you're doing. The best thing I think you can do is to have a community around you who can help guide you, and Amma feels like a great first step to creating this community. We were recommended coming here by friends and our hospital, and ended up taking a one day class for newborns and breastfeeding, and a one day class for childbirth. I am also just starting my New Mama class with my month old infant (and I have heard fantastic things about the new mama class!) so I'm excited to experience that as well. Amma feels like a safe space for new parents to ask questions (I literally asked if I needed to worry about birthing a child into the toilet - a weird irrational fear I've always had, and they didn't laugh at me) and learn about this new stage of our lives. I'm really glad the twin cities has a resource like Amma. For pregnant people coming in - bring snacks to classes and consider bringing chair support - the chairs are not necessarily the most comfortable, but they do have a few yoga balls in case that is better for you. read more

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If you haven't read any parenting books and this is your first baby, then I'd say the price is well worth it. Highly recommend the All In One Express class. They did a great job condensing key things from delivery process, postpartum, car seat safety, breastfeeding, newborn care, and putting on diapers. Due to our busy schedule the 7hr class in Edina worked for us. Don't be scared of the long session, you get several 5 min breaks and a lunch break. Their chairs weren't so bad for me, but I also had the step stool and/balance ball as an option. It was interesting hearing our instructor Tanya's personal perspective given that she's a mother and L&D nurse. She was great at getting the group to engage, so it wasn't just her lecturing the entire time. Given the good experience we might check out other classes like Infant CPR and/or Infant Sign Language. read more

Love Amma! I did the newborn class and am in the beyond newborns class now and love the experience. Great instructors/facilitators. I highly recommend this place for all new moms! read more

I signed my hubby and I up to take the All-In-One Express class in Lakeville. Amma offers many different classes throughout the metro. We had Jodi as our educator, and she didn't miss a beat. This class was very informative for newly expecting parents. We were provided the materials to take home with us as well. I was so nervous going to the class, but there was no reason to be. Jodi made everyone feel welcomed and comfortable. We covered everything from labor, delivery, newborn care to breastfeeding. I highly recommend this class if you have no idea how to even hold or diaper a baby, it's literally like the 101, but more in depth. We also went over some car seat safety. Jodi did a great job covering things very thoroughly and made sure us momma's took our little breaks and had a lunch break. It was a long 7 hrs, but it went by fast! I saw some complaints about the chairs, but they were fine for us and I liked having the footrest! We took a lot of great information and resources from the class, and we both thought it was beneficial and worth it. I'm thinking about taking the infant CPR class and joining the new mama class once baby boy arrives! read more

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I attended this event on Saturday with 5 other dads. A lot of the material was covered in lecture format with some discussion. I liked the sing-alongs with parachute interaction with your kid. There are some toys to play with in class but mostly it was understanding your kid's development (motor skills, communication, etc.) from birth to 1 year. I liked the last half hour when we got to talk with other fathers to share our experiences. I hope that there are more dad groups instead of this one-time class. Amma Parenting has more mom-focused classes so still on the look out for dad-focused classes during my paternity leave. read more

Took the 6 week 'New Mama' class here after hearing recommendations from friends, our hospital & our doula. Because the first few weeks of being a new mom can be overwhelming & isolating, I thought this would be a good way to connect with other new moms & learn some tips & tricks. The class was $150 for 6 weeks (each class runs 2 hours) & is usually run by either a nurse or a lactation consultant (sometimes both). Your teacher also asks that you meet outside of the classroom with your group 1 time each week. You bring your baby to each meeting. Amma seems to have fixed it's uncomfortable chair problem I read about in the other reviews...they now have very comfortable chairs & they keep the classrooms very conducive to newborns (dim light, the noise machine if the babies are fussing, diapers/wipes if you need them, Brest Friend & Boppy pillows to use). My group was composed of 8 other new moms. Each week, you cover a relevant topic such as Adjustments to Parenthood, Sleep, Relationship Changes, Breastfeeding, & Going Back to Work. Much of the class is an 'open' format where you share your thoughts/feelings with the group. I truly enjoyed my experience at Amma. Our instructor, Vickie was kind and very knowledgeable. The class not only helped me learn more about valid topics, it made me feel normal. Other moms were sharing in the same struggles & opening up. We shared struggles & some tears in class. A big take-away for me? Getting ready for class each week! It helped me figure out time management with a newborn. You grow pretty close to your group & most groups stay in touch after Amma classes are done. You can also weigh your baby on-site every week, which was wonderful for me to ensure my little girl was gaining the appropriate weight with breastfeeding. Another thing I really liked was the shop at Amma. They carry a bunch of 'tricks of the trade', products that make being a parent easier: (for me, the best things I purchased were the Dohm white noise maker & the Merlin's Magic Sleep Suit). Hello, lifesavers. These are things I wouldn't have known about without hearing first hand how they worked for the other moms in my class. I would definitely recommend this class to all new moms. I docked off a star because I felt like 2 hours got to be a bit long for each class (1.5 hours would have been plenty of time us). Amma prides itself on helping you 'build your tribe' by helping connect you to other new moms, experts, great products & resources. After spending 6 weeks with my group, you truly witness a transformation in each new mom, from anxiety and worry to confidence that comes with the beauty of finally 'knowing' your baby. A great experience I will definitely treasure. read more

Amma Parenting - My Amma New Mama Group (October-November 2015) - Parenting Classes Near Me - Edina, Minnesota

This place is amazing and all parents should utilize their course offerings! I have taken 3 classes now: newborns 101, breastfeeding, and a new mama class. My instructors for each class were great! They explained the information thoroughly, encouraged questions, and created a welcoming environment. The newborn 101 and breastfeeding classes really helped me to feel more comfortable in what was to come during my journey of parenthood. It also really helped for my husband to gain a better understanding and his role to be supportive with breastfeeding. The new mamma class was hands down one of the best experiences during my first few months post partum. The environment is so welcoming and non judgmental. Each class we discussed a different topic and shared our own personal feelings whether they were ups or downs. We were also encouraged to get together once a week as a class- new moms and babies- and that felt so great to be out and social with other new moms. I know I have made some lasting friendships with the incredible women from this class. Thank you, Amma for being amazing and supporting of women and our children! read more

I just finished a New Mama class lead by Jenni West. She is fabulous! Her experience is so expansive (she's an IBCLC and mom to five) and she has such a kind and understanding attitude. No matter what our questions were or what strategies we were trying at home, she was supportive and respectful. I felt so comfortable asking any question, knowing she would have a thoughtful response. It was also wonderful to get to know other moms with babies the same age! We had so much fun getting together outside of class. You should absolutely give this class a go if you're thinking about it! read more

My husband and I took three of the prenatal classes before our son was born this fall. All of them were useful, but some more than others... Preparing for Childbirth (3 week course): Definitely the best of the three classes we took. Our instructor covered everything from the early signs of labor through taking care of you and your baby when you get home from the hospital. We were encouraged to ask questions and there was a nice mix of instruction and group discussion time. I appreciated how non-judgemental the class was as well - we talked about epidurals and non-medicated births and couples openly shared what kind of birth they were hoping to have. After going through the whole labor and delivery process, I can say that we put a lot of what we learned to use! We took the three week course, but they also offer a two-day or one day course to fit your schedule. Labor Skills Workshop: This class is geared towards couples hoping to have an unmedicated birth and covers different relaxation techniques - or in the words of my husband - mommy massage time. I found this class useful, but in the end, not totally necessary. I used some of the techniques during my labor, but this was also covered in less detail in the preparing for childbirth class. Baby Care/Breastfeeding Combo: This turned out to be our least favorite class. The course was heavily weighted towards breastfeeding, which is important, but we were really hoping to learn more about baby care. The main skill we learned was how to swaddle a baby and just breezed through topics like diaper changes, baths, and when to call the doctor if your baby is sick. Amma does offer separate courses for these two topics, which I would recommend doing instead. Even though some classes were better than others, all of the courses were taught by very knowledgeable instructors - most, if not all, of whom are labor and delivery nurses. After taking the classes at Amma, we felt as prepared as we could be for the birth of our little guy. read more

I took intro to childbirth one day class at Amma's. The instructor seemed to be knowledgeable and friendly but she speaks very very fast. I could hardly follow what she was saying and I could not understand any of the terminologies she was saying. Even though I asked her to slow down during my first break, there was no difference in the way she spoke. The worst part are their chairs. They are very uncomfortable for any normal person to sit in them for even half hour and is the worst for pregnant women and I saw most of the other participants were also struggling including the dad to be's. It was much painful and I lost interest in the session half way through. Could have been better with a different instructor and better chairs. I don't feel the worth for the 100$ we paid for this class. read more

My husband and I just took the 3 week preparing for childbirth class with Alexia and I am very happy we did. Both of us took away stuff we were unsure of or didnt know each week. My husband said he feels more confident and now knows what his role is throughout labor and delivery (that alone makes me happy we took the course). For each class, you spend time watching a video, asking questions, discussing with your partner on topics, learning labor/delivery positioning and ways your partner can help make you more comfortable.. Its very informative. Alexia was a great teacher, she really incorporated her personal experiences which was super helpful and because she is also a doula i really appreciated her perspective on everything and how she taught the course. Also, very comfortable setting and atmosphere. I look forward to future classes. read more

I paid for an online class ($120) in labor techniques. Apparently, you only have 15 days once you activate the class to finish the over 8 hour class. That information was buried in a very long email. Once the class expires, you are unable to access it. And they don't give you any warning that it is about to expire. I purchased this early on in my pregnancy hoping to chip away at learning the information and was disappointed when the class disappeared after just 15 days. I wish that they would give you 9 months or a year to go back and reference the information. It would be nice to refresh on certain things in the weeks leading up to birth as well. The online class itself seemed fine. Lots of videos and testimonials mixed in with helpful information. I was just unable to learn it all in such a short time frame. read more

The setup of this class made it impossible to even make it through the class. I signed up for the breastfeeding class held at St. John's. The instructor started the class by asking everyone for names and due dates. I consider the due date private medical information, and I am not interested in sharing this information with a room full of strangers. So the class kicked off with a little invasion of privacy. At the time of the class, I was near the end of pregnancy, and have many aches and pains and a few potential injury scenarios I need to watch. One is that my pelvis is very loose and has required constant chiropractic care to keep it aligned so I can continue to walk. The chairs provided for this class were at least 20 years old, and completely inappropriate for myself or anyone, really, to sit on. The wooden frames were still good but the cushions were worn out, and you sat in a hole! Within 20 mintues I could feel my pelvis moving out of joint, and knew I was looking forward to a weeks's worth of pain until my next chiropractic appointment. I had to leave halfway through. I could not physically make it any longer without risking injury, and the insulting invasion of privacy just made it that much easier to leave. read more

Wifey and I are going to have our first little one. We decided to take a couple of classes to relieve some of our anxiety regarding this wonderful event. We took the All-in-One class and the Labor & Delivery. The All-in-One class is geared for couples who want to "get it over with" in one marathon 6 hour day. It might be overwhelming for some, but we took loads of notes and drank cups of coffee to stay alert. Actually, she took the notes, I drank the coffee. Both classes reinforced a lot of things that we have read and we also learned new techniques. The best thing about these classes, like all group sessions, you get to share the prenatal experience with other couples. Also, the other couples most likely have questions that you haven't formulated. Furthermore, they don't shove down the all natural birth philosophy down your throats. They urge you to adapt the philosophy of reducing stress by having the mindset of being flexible. The down side: those chairs gotta go. Seriously. Plastic stools that they provide does not ease the pain of a sore ass. If cost is an issue for Amma, just update half the chairs. The dudes/partners/helpers can sit on the circa 1970 chairs and the mommies can sit on Herman Miller chairs or sliders. Come on! They also have a small retail shop conveniently placed near the front door. You can buy things like a chew toy that serves as a necklace for mommy! read more

I took several classes here and the most helpful I found with the Breastfeeding class. It helped me prepare for what to expect with breastfeeding. While you can't know what your challenges are going to be until after the baby is born, it gave me insight to resources available and some initial tips to help set up for success. However, by far the best thing I have done here is the New Mama Group and now Beyond Newborns. It is a fabulous support network with facilitated useful topics, and a great way to practice getting out of the house, feeding in public, etc. read more

If I could build a room and live here after having my newborn I would. Their new mamma class is a lifeline like no other after having a brand new baby. 6 weeks of various topics and getting to know other new moms is a life savor. On Tuesdays they also do a weigh in and Q and A session with a lactation consultant for free! Its a great way to get to know other moms, get some questions answered, and to be assured you are doing ok! There is a small shop with all the essentials you didnt get at those baby showers. We also took their labor and delivery class prior to the little guy getting here and I highly recommend that as well. They have many other classes that I will sign up for! read more

We've had an amazing experience with Amma Parenting Center in Edina. Prenatal classes: We did Option 5 which included Preparing for Childbirth One-Day, Breastfeeding, and Baby Care Basics. I personally would not recommend the all in one class or the combination classes because there is so much to take in and it can be overwhelming. Surprisingly my husband enjoyed the classes as well even though I felt like I had to drag him there. Postnatal: The New Mama class is a must! It is a 6 week class meant to be started anytime from birth to 8 weeks. My little one was 5 weeks old when we took the class and I wish we would have started when she was about 2 weeks. The other classes that we have taken at Amma include Beyond Newborns, Rollie Pollies, Music Together and Infant Massage. I have met some friends for life here and I am not sure what I would do without my Amma Mammas. read more

I attended the All-In-One class on Saturday. Unfortunately, I had to attend alone because my husband got sick the night before, and there was no way to get my full payment back. The staff and especially the instructor, made me feel very uncomfortable about attending by myself; they hardly spoke to me, but were very nice and talkative to the couples. I really felt judged. I did learn a lot from the breastfeeding portion of instruction, and an ok amount from the labor/hospital/delivery portion, but when we covered the childcare basics, I was VERY disappointed. I wouldn't recommend Amma to anyone who isn't married, even a military wife attending with a supportive partner- the class is designed to cater to married couples attending together. I would not recommend Amma to anyone that has very little to no experience with children or babies either. For the price I paid (out of pocket because my insurance doesn't cover) I was very disappointed all around. I only give Amma two stars because the breastfeeding portion was very well covered. read more

Really loved the classes we took here. They were natural friendly, but completely based on scientific/medical research, which was perfect for us. I just wish we lived closer, or that they offered weekend classes, or more classes in other locations, since Edina is quite a drive for us in rush hour traffic. The chairs aren't the greatest, but they aren't awful, either. I was impressed with the presenters for both classes we took (breastfeeding and newborn care), and they gave us good printed materials too. Definitely worth it for the cost. The shop out front seems a bit expensive, but it is fun to look around. I'm sure I'll take more classes here, or possibly some of the online ones. Good place for first time parents. Update: I won't take a star off for this but I am revising my review. I tried to go to a play group here and after 5 minutes I was the only one there. Apparently the people in the music class just hang out for a few minutes before going home and there isn't really a play group per se. Disappointing, but ok. So I tried the music class and it was so crowded I was relieved to leave after 30 minutes. No place to put your stuff, people squished in everywhere, and hokey music. Yuck. So I guess I'm a fan of the prenatal classes (and the online sleep classes are decent too), but not the social activities. read more

My husband and I took three prenatal classes through Amma and thought all of them were useful and reasonably priced. After our son was born and my husband went back to work I took their New Mamma Class (once a week for 6 weeks) and it was my absolute favorite! I found it invaluable - best $125 we spent! Class was taught by a nurse who is also a mother and I learned so much about my baby's physiology and behavior, as well as developed "mommy friendships" that I hope will last for years to come! The Amma environment is supportive and welcoming, and I love it there! read more

Hoping to help spread the word out there about how fabulous Amma really is!! I totally agree wtih a previous poster who said the New Mama class should be mandatory. I loved it so much - I actually took it twice during my 14-week maternity leave! There is no better instructor than Sara! She has poured her heart & soul into Amma and it shows! What I loved about the class were so many things - the other new mamas who I now call my friends & still keep in touch with and/or see at least once a month even though my daughter is nearing 2; the fact that you can go in your PJs, wearing & smelling like spit-up with a screaming baby & there's no judgment; the instant comraderie that comes with the various topics discussed as it makes you realize you're not on an island nor the first to ever experience something or feel a certain way; and the sharing of knowledge that occurs from both Sara's instruction as well as everyone sharing their own tips, tricks, suggestions, etc. I could not have asked for more and encourage all my pregnant friends to sign up for the class! Beyond newborns is great in a different way as it allows you to build on your knowledge, but also validates that you're starting to figure this mama thing out & celebrate. Our session became a chance for us to interact more as women (including wine/beer) and less as just the singular "mama" that had been all-consuming those first few months. Again, another great opporunity to care & share with some really great women!! I cannot say enough about how fabulous Sara & the staff at Amma are and I always try to find ways to stop in & visit! It truly is a great resource for the new mom! read more

When looking for prenatal classes, our clinic at Woodwinds recommended Amma (several hospitals have developed a partnership with the center) and I am so glad they did! My husband and I took the CPR class, breast feeding class, Preparing for Childbirth, and the labor skills class. I had read a lot of books on the subjects, but found the classes invaluable-especially since my husband and I could learn together. The instructors know what they are talking about and being able to ask specific questions was great (something books can't provide). After such a great experience with the classes prenatally, I decided to sign up for the new mama group. This is by far one of the best decisions I have made. It has given me the confidence that, yes, I can get out of the house by myself with baby. It also provides a place to adjust to the new realities of motherhood. Best of all I have made new friends who are going through the same things I am. I've also attended the free Friday play group with my infant-another awesome reason to get out of the house and hang out with other moms. Unwittingly I have become Amma's biggest fan! The one thing I would love to see happen is a New Dads class. They need support postpartum too, and I think it would be great for new fathers to be able to connect. read more

Amma was my best friend throughout my pregnancy and the early weeks of my daughter's life. The prenatal classes were wonderful! I learned a lot and loved the facility. The boutique is full of the most wonderful baby items and the staff is very knowledgeable. The best part of Amma is the New Mama class! The New Mama class is an essential class for every new mom out there! It was a lifesaver for me! The camaraderie with other new mamas, our amazing instructor and just being forced out of the house each week made my transition into motherhood much easier. If you're even slightly considering signing up for this class, hesitate no longer! You won't be sorry. read more

My husband and I took three prenatal classes, Breastfeeding, Baby Care Basics and Preparing for Childbirth (1 day course). We learned a lot in all three courses and left with helpful handouts and resources. I recommend taking the preparing for childbirth class at the end of your second trimester do NOT wait until the last minute. This class provided me with peace of mind and knowledge...also, I could actively learn as I wasn't at the uncomfortable stage. I took Hypnobirthing with my mother, this class is hosted by Amma but taught by Jen at Anew. This multi-week course was excellent and I utilized the skills I learned in class (and practiced at home) in my labor and delivery. The New Mama class should be required! I met an amazing group of new mom's and Sara's instruction and guidance into motherhood has been extremely valuable. This 6 week course provided sanity and focused not only on baby but on mom. Beyond Newborns was a great class as well, our instructor was funny and kept things moving. It's a different feel from new mama in that we are all becoming more confidant as moms and are looking for information and reassurance from each other AND the instructor. A great support. I've attending the baby weigh-in and lactation drop in session as well, a great time to have your questions answered and check baby's weight between appointments with your doctor. The Baby Bites workshop was helpful as was the Winter Warmer workshop. The Cloth Diaper workshop is extremely helpful if you are interested in cloth and find all the options confusing. Katrina is a PRO and brings lots of samples so you can see the diapers in person. All in all, I've had a great experience at Amma. Some sessions have been better than others. I've not minded being asked to share the age of my baby and I didn't mind being asked the due date (or due time) this information was never utilized in an inappropriate way and specific dates are never required of you. Note: I've taken all classes/workshops at the Amma location in Edina. They have chairs, exercise balls and floor chairs for seating. The floor chairs and exercise balls are more comfy than the chairs for a long class. read more

Took the Roly Pollie class with my daughter and loved it! Such great information and it was great to meet other moms. I love that they encourage you to meet up on your own every week and beyond the class. Would definitely recommend, worth the money. read more

Amma is the best! They have an awesome boutique with super friendly staff. Classes are taught by experts in the field (not just someone who read a manual). We LOVED their preparing for birth class I have had 2 unmedicated births and I credit a lot of that to Amma. Hypnobirthing is amazing! In regards to the 1 star poster, asking people's due date in a class setting is not private medical information, it is an icebreaker. You can be vague and simply say the month. And in your post you state that you took the class at St.John's, not at Amma's center. Amma is very comfortable. read more

I love Amma! I have now completed three different classes through their center and have loved each one. When I was pregnant, my husband and I took their Preparing for Childbirth course, taught by Alexia. She was a wonderful instructor and really helped (as much as anyone could!) prepare us for the experience of birth. We also took a short breastfeeding course which I really recommend if you plan to breastfeed. I came away feeling much better informed about breastfeeding and capable of troubleshooting the breastfeeding challenges that have come up since our son was born. I decided to take their "New Mamas" class largely on a whim and am so happy I did! It was half class, half discussion/support group. Our facilitator was available to answer questions but mostly guided the conversation between myself and the other moms in the group. It was a great way to spend a few hours a week and I recommend it highly! The boutique is also great- it's petite but fun to browse, and seems to have a good selection of both essentials and luxuries. The boutique staff is super friendly and knowledgeable. read more

I can't believe I'm the first to review Amma Maternity! Sara and her staff are awesome! I missed out on the newborns class but found out about Amma in time for the beyond newborns class where I learned a ton and also met great moms that I still hang out with. I highly recommend Amma Maternity. read more

We have had such a positive experience with Amma Parenting Center. We moved to MN from out of state with our 2 month old and did not know anyone in the area. I first heard about Amma through a new friend and decided to attend Friday Story/Music time and the free play group. Not only is the storytime amazing, but I have met many fantastic moms at the play group directly afterwards. Look forward to trying other postnatal classes in the very near future! read more

I go to a Park Nicollet OB (in Bloomington) and they recommended Amma in Edina for prenatal classes. My husband and I took "Preparing for Childbirth", "Breastfeeding", and "Baby Care Basics" at Amma. After such a positive experience for the classes, once my son was born and we were concerned that he may not be gaining enough weight, I went back to the weekly FREE baby weigh in. Sara (the owner) is a lactation consultant and gave me invaluable advice and a great pep talk. I also met several other new moms there and looked forward to returning to weigh in the following week. When my son was first born, I wasn't willing to fork over the money to take a "New Mama" class, and I SO regret that decision. I ended up taking "Beyond Newborns" (the class after New Mama) and it was amazing. The instructors are so knowledgable and reassuring. I love that they don't teach one right way to do things (breastfeeding vs. formula feeding, cosleeping vs. crib sleeping, etc.)... they recognize that people have different beliefs and make different choices and they support those choices unconditionally. They just make sure that you're ensuring safety for your baby. I could go on and on about how much I love this place, but I'll stop now. You can obviously see how I feel about it. I would like to offer my opinion on the one star review though. Your due date is private medical information?? I never thought of my due date that way. I was excited to share my due date in classes and compare myself and what I was feeling/experiencing to people who were due before/after me. It's too bad that the chairs at the St. John's location were uncomfortable - I'm sure that was tough. I've only been to the Edina center and never had a problem with the chairs. Oh! I just remembered that I have some thoughts about the retail portion of the store. At first, I thought that their products were fancy and over-priced. As I continued to go to Amma and need certain products or books, I learned that Amma chooses to carry only the best products that they truly believe in. I know that if I get a product or book at Amma, it will be worth my money. I have continued to return to Amma for books and skin care products for my son. I would recommend Amma without hesitation to ANYONE just starting out their journey in motherhood. Yes, I had friends and family who could share their experiences with me, but meeting other new moms who were going through the same things at the same time and learning from the EXPERT instructors at Amma has been integral to my happiness as a mother. read more

Love this place! Staff at the desk and class teachers are so friendly! New Mama class with the owner has been one of my favorite parts of my maternity leave. Totally worthit to sign up for a class (we also took Hypnobirthing) or stop in and shop. read more

I took my prenatal classes here and they were very informative! After having my baby I took the first time mama class which was the best thing any new mama can do!! The class made me feel welcome and helped me build my self confidence as a mommy. It also gave you a village of people to go to with questions and concerns. After the new mama class there are other classes to take but I opted to do Ecfe instead. They also have a weekly mama breast feeding support group that was very helpful in the early weeks and months. Now I still visit amma weekly for Macphail music class! I go with some mama friends from the "new mama" class. I also went to the "baby wearing school" and bought my beco baby carrier in the boutique up front- great investment- it was the only thing my baby would sleep in for months! Basically, this place is awesome pre and post natal. My baby is now 13 months old and amma has been great through it all!! read more