Home Alone? Try a Mom’s Group 
by Myrna Beth Haskell
Today moms can join a wide variety of support groups and classes to cultivate new friendships and experience a unique camaraderie. Most of these groups also provide stimulating play and socialization for their tots.
For Moms Starting Out
Are you overwhelmed with your role as a new mom? Are you finding that breastfeeding is more difficult than you had hoped?
New mothers can find a support group before they even venture out of the hospital. Most hospitals offer breastfeeding classes.
These classes are usually held right at the hospital. They help new mothers with the mechanics of breastfeeding and they supply information on its health benefits. Some hospitals offer “baby massage” classes as well.
Moms learn about the benefits of therapeutic massage and have discussions about new mothers’ challenges. These classes also provide an opportunity for new moms to meet other moms who are experiencing this earliest stage of parenthood.
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More At-home Info
The following websites offer at-home career information, health information, parenting tips, parent chat rooms and a variety of networking opportunities for at-home mothers. 4 Moms At Home. Offers coupons, crafts, family finances, recipes and parenting tips. At Home Moms. Features at-home shopping, product recalls, workout tips, mom-to-mom articles, recipes, and additional parenting links. www.athomemoms.com Moms Network: Helping Moms Succeed. Provides support and promotion for work-at-home moms & information on developing and maintaining a home business and work-at-home job |
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Many of today’s national support groups started out modestly, with just a few moms who wanted to form a group in their neighborhood. These groups usually ask for modest registration fees to cover newsletters and other resources that are distributed to members. Following are just three of the groups moms can join.
International Moms Club. This nonprofit organization provides support for mothers who choose to stay at home to raise their children. Moms Clubs accommodate mothers of children of all ages, not just preschoolers.
The clubs meet during the daytime for discussions. Each group works on at least one service project per year benefiting needy children in the community. During meetings, children are supervised by a Moms Club member and meet separately for their own activities.
www.momsclub.org
MOPS International. MOPS stands for “Mothers of Preschoolers.” There is a devotional element to MOPS. Groups meet at various times — evenings, weekends or during daytime hours. Meetings consist of a prayer, a discussion and a creative activity, usually a craft taught by one of the members. Club members’ children meet in groups for play and age-appropriate activities.
www.mops.org
Mocha Moms. This is a support group for women of color. Members have chosen not to work full-time outside of the home. Some members don’t work at all; others work part-time, have home-based businesses or have chosen other, less demanding career paths. Weekly meetings are held in church halls, community centers or members’ homes. During meetings, children engage in constructive activities and have a chance to socialize too. Groups hold monthly potluck dinners with guest speakers. www.mochamoms.org
Informal Playgroups
Your neighborhood might already have an established playgroup. Locations for these informal meetings usually rotate among members’ homes. Most playgroups will schedule outings such as picnics at the playground or an afternoon at a local children’s museum.
The outings offer stimulating activities for children as well as providing a social outlet for their moms. If there isn’t an established playgroup in your area, distribute a flyer to your neighbors. Sometimes all it takes is a little initiative to get the ball rolling!
Other possibilities include joining a mom’s group at a nearby exercise facility or through your church or synagogue.
Most moms can feed an infant on the left and balance a toddler on the right while reading the morning paper. Mothers often tell themselves that they can do it all and do it solo. Don’t let this “superwoman concept” get in the way of your finding support. You will probably find that the bonds you form with other moms today will become some of your strongest long-term friendships.
Myrna Beth Haskell is a freelance writer.