New motherhood can be exhilarating but exhausting, wonderful but isolating. With little sleep and barely time enough to take a shower—let alone eat—you can be thrown into a different kind of life than you’ve ever imagined. If you’re looking for some camaraderie, education, and fun, find a "Mommy and Me" support group in your area.
Moms who can rely on the support of other moms going through the same experience with children the same age often say that it makes a very positive difference in their lives, in both the short and long term. No one understands your struggles, or your day-to-day triumphs, the way other new moms do.
Alexandra L. Spitz , mom to a 2-year-old in Orange County, CA, founded the group OC Mommy and Me (ocmommyandme.com) more than a year ago. She enjoyed participating in a similar group in Los Angeles after her son was first born and even became a certified parent educator and a newborn/infant care specialist. When she and her husband moved, though, she couldn’t find another group and decided to start her own.
"Having that support as a new mom is a necessity. The other moms in my group became great friends. Even though our kids are getting older, we still get together every month for dinner with all the kids and dads. We’ve even gone on vacation together. Having kids the same age, and sharing that experience, really cemented our group," Alexandra said.
Many Mommy and Me groups not only offer friendship and encouragement, they help moms by providing helpful advice and tips through a curriculum designed for moms with kids of the same age. That way, they'll be meeting growth and developmental milestones at the same time. The list of topics that are discussed at these meetings can include the importance of routines and sleep, general baby care, infant massage, teething, bonding, and (of course) the importance of girlfriends and more.
"So many women have told me, 'I wish I had a group like this after my baby was born. It would have been a huge help during a time I felt so incredibly overwhelmed.' These groups create a wonderful, supportive, non-judgmental atmosphere. They don’t teach you how to parent," explains Alexandra. "They’re there for support. You can vent, you can laugh together, you can cry, and we’re all with you there, having a great time. Moms can bring their kids, but it’s not a play group—it’s a class made especially for mothers," she said.
Mommy and Me groups often ask experts to attend meetings to discuss topics that moms want to know about. OC Mommy and Me, for instance, asks sleep specialists, pediatricians, therapists, nutritionists, and preschool directors to speak to the group. It’s a great way for these experts and moms to exchange information and learn from one another.
If you’re pregnant or have a newborn, consider looking for a Mommy and Me group in your area. There’s no central website that lists them all, but a quick Google search should turn up some options. Also, you can get in touch with the maternity wing of your hospital, or ask some local pediatricians if they know of any groups you can join.
