“TICTAC has been the only place I have been able to make real friendships and connections,” says Becky.
TICTAC (Time In Comfort for Tots And Caregivers) is a free SOS program, offered to parents and guardians of children ages 0 to 5 in the Oceanside area. It provides snacks, connection, and a chance to recharge, while children play under the care of SOS staff and dedicated volunteers.
Inside the TICTAC program, Becky chats with parents and shapes playdough with her two boys, Andrew, four, and Evan, 18 months, before stepping away to join parents for some much-needed adult conversation. Nearby, SOS staff and volunteers hold babies, gather around a sand-filled sensory table, and sip imaginary tea with the children, giving caregivers a break.
An isolating start to motherhood
Eight years ago, after the birth of Becky’s first son, Ben, she didn’t have this kind of support. She didn’t know it was there. She was among the 23 per cent of Canadian mothers navigating postpartum depression and anxiety.
Becky had her second son in 2021. When the pandemic hit, motherhood became “even more lonely and isolating,” with programs shutting down and playgrounds closing.
Finding TICTAC
It wasn’t until September 2022 that Becky discovered the program through her son’s preschool. “TICTAC is now a lifeline for my kids and me,” Becky says.
Becky remembers her family being hooked immediately. “Everyone was so kind and welcoming to my boys and me. They really connected with my kids and really got to know them.”
“I could feel like myself again. It was the easiest postpartum of all three boys, and I know it’s because of all the love and support we got at TICTAC”
She met more parents navigating similar challenges, and TICTAC soon became a safe space to share both the hard moments and the joyful ones.
When Becky welcomed her third son in the fall of 2024, she brought him to TICTAC at just eight days old. Having a few hours each week where she says staff, volunteers, and other moms would hold and “love on” her baby allowed Becky to breathe.
“I could feel like myself again,” she says. “It was the easiest postpartum of all three boys, and I know it’s because of all the love and support we got at TICTAC and the friends we made there.”
At TICTAC, her children have found a space where they are known and celebrated, where they can explore freely, build confidence, and simply be themselves. For many parents in the area, SOS programs mark the beginning of a chapter of community that uplifts and supports families. Becky appreciates the village that her boys are growing up in, and says, “I met the most amazing women I have ever known and have become a better parent and human because of it.”
This support has made it easier for Becky and her children to navigate life’s challenges. She appreciates the effort of her older boys learning American Sign Language (ASL) for their baby brother, who was born with significant hearing loss. “We have seen the strength and resilience of our baby boy navigating this world in a different way than we ever expected.”
Connection, support, and community through Family Night
Beyond TICTAC, Becky and her family take part in the SOS Family Night program. Local families gather over shared meals and fun activities, removing the pressure of cooking, cleaning, and planning, so families can simply enjoy time together.
“We have become the village we all needed”
“Family Night activities are very well thought out and planned, and the outings are always so much fun for the kids,” says Becky. “The food is always great. The leftovers and not having to plan any dinner for that night are always deeply appreciated.” Parenting still comes with its challenges, like overstimulation, balancing needs, and the constant motion of raising young children. But the isolation that was once a big part of Becky’s early experience has been replaced by something steadier: connection, support, and community.
“I recommend these programs to everyone because of the support and community it gives,” she says. “I feel like it has really helped us find our place in the community. We have made friendships that we will have for our entire lives. We go camping, to the lake, to parks, and to regular get-togethers. We have become the village we all needed.”
