The Firefly Center Lights the Way for Farmington Valley Parents and Children

When a mother said she fell asleep while waiting for her child to finish kid’s yoga at The Firefly Center, co-owner Karin Lefranc was delighted. 

“I said good, that’s exactly what we want. This is your time. Have a cup of tea, have a nap. Whatever you want to do, it’s fine with us,” Lefranc said.

Owners Jane Costello and Lefranc opened Firefly in March after Lefranc decided to sell her previous business, Over the Moon in Avon. Their mission is to provide meaningful classes, workshops and resources for parents and children that will educate, enrich and enlighten.

“We had no idea when we moved over here and started with those few classes that we would have such an outpouring from community. ... It’s been an amazing experience,” Lefranc said, regarding a number of people who have come up with ideas for mom’s groups and additional classes for Firefly.

Costello, a mother to three boys, founded Blueprint Parenting in 2009 out of her passion to share parenting ideas and skills with others. She instructs the popular Love and Logic course at Firefly, which teaches parents how to effectively deal with issues like arguing, whining and sibling rivalry.

“I feel like [parents] walk away feeling more confident. And that’s a big mission of mine. ... If you feel confident and [surer] of yourself, your kids end up feeling more safe and secure,” Costello said.

Lefranc, a mother to four children, teaches fun manners classes like High Tea & Etiquette and Please Pass the Table Manners, as well as Kid's Yoga. She also made her debut as an author this year with A Quest for Good Manners, a children’s book about why it matters to be polite.

The new author recalled a second-grade boy who was originally “horrified” that his mom enrolled him in her manners class, but after the first session, he “couldn’t wait to come back.”

“We do table manners, gift giving and receiving, and attending a party. Sometimes we’re all astronauts going into outer space. We talk about which intergalactic space trips we’ve been on lately and we learn to introduce ourselves and others,” Lefranc said.

Costello and Lefranc describe their business as “ever-evolving.” Meaning, they are open to adding or changing classes in order to serve parents and children to the best of their ability. Recently, they partnered with Hartford Children’s Theatre to provide two six-week acting sessions. Future courses include Love and Logic for Teens and Childbirth classes, which will both start in the fall. 

“Parents need a support system. We [often] live far away from our parents and where we grew up and to have a place like this is a great thing,” Lefranc said.

The Firefly Center is located on 25 East Main Street, Second Floor, in Old Avon Village. To sign up for classes or for more information, visit www.thefireflycenter.com.