Should you join a mommy group? A lot of things change when you become a mom. Like many first time moms, you probably know the terrifying feeling of going home with a newborn and only a pamphlet full of information on how to take care of the new addition. It’s at this point you may probably start to wonder about mommy groups. But should you join a mommy group? Are mommy groups worth the time and effort? Here are some things to consider when you find yourself asking whether or not you should join a mommy group.
Make New Friends
The addition of a new baby brings with it a natural change in your life. If you are a first-time mom, you’ll be quick to see that one of these changes will happen in your social life. Suddenly, your late nights out with your friends will become late nights up with your little one. You might start to find that the lack of a social life can be lonely and even depressing. This is where mommy groups fit in. Joining a mommy group will help introduce you to other moms who understand the struggle of being a parent. Not only that, but the moms in a mommy group may “get you” a lot more than some of your friends who don’t have children. Your shared experiences can pave the path for new friendships to form. Joining a mommy group is a great way to take advantage of this.
Play Pals For Your Kids
You won’t be the only one making new friends when you join a mommy group. If you already have kids, then bringing them along to your mommy group is a great way to introduce them to other children their age. A great thing about bringing them along is that they can widen their circle of socialization all while doing it in a safe space. Socialization with other children and adults that are unfamiliar to your child are a great way to introduce boundaries and other necessary skills. Some of these skills can include how to play fairly and nicely. Along with that, getting your kiddos to hang out with other children in your mommy group is a great way to tire them out for nap time.
Sitter Swap
Networking doesn’t have to be just for professionals. Getting together with other mommies is a great way to network and vet out possible babysitters for the future. Moms know the struggle of getting a good babysitter. And when your babysitter backs out at the last minute, it can be stressful finding a backup babysitter. Mommy groups can offer a solution to this.
When you network with other moms in mommy groups, you can “vet” out possible back up babysitters when you need one. The great thing about finding a backup babysitter at a mommy group is that you are surrounded by moms who understand how real the struggle is in finding a babysitter. The awkwardness of stress associated with finding a babysitter is replaced with an understanding and a “you scratch my back, and I scratch your back” mentality.
Emotional Support
Moms, especially new moms, either don’t get enough support or don’t get the right kind of support. And if they do get support, chances are, they are not getting enough of it. When you join a mommy group, you can help build yourself a support system that will be invaluable and reliable when you need it the most. Having a group of moms who are going through the journey of motherhood alongside you can be extremely beneficial.
Especially when you find yourself dealing with issues like an unruly child or new and unfamiliar behaviors. The support doesn’t have to be just limited to just parenting either. Mommy groups are great places to talk about issues you face in other aspects of your life. Having a child will change the dynamics and relationships in your life. Having a mommy group as a support structure is a great way to help navigate the changes going on in your life.
Learn New Tricks
The internet is great and all, but there’s no better way to learn than actually interacting with others. When you join a mommy group, you open the door to learning new tips and tricks when it comes to your kiddos. If your mommy group is one with a variety of moms from different ages and backgrounds, your access to information only grows. Moms tend to have the best-kept secrets, especially moms of different generations. Skip google on this one, and join a mommy group to learn some of the tips and tricks that will make your journey into motherhood a bit more smoother.
Give Yourself A Break
Joining a mommy break is a great way to give yourself a break. One of the all too common traps that moms fall into is running around the house all day, taking care of the kids and neglecting their own needs. For some moms, the thought of doing something for yourself and giving yourself a break might seem impossible. Joining a mommy group is a great way to remedy this without feeling like a “bad mom.” You can give yourself a break by chatting with other women, or just leaving mommy duties at home, all while your little one can play and interact with other children. Along with this, it can be easy to get stuck in the same routine at home. Giving yourself a break will allow you to get out of the house and take part in a much-needed breather.
A Reminder That You’re Doing Alright
It’s nearly impossible to flip through a magazine, turn on the television, or even walk through a supermarket without running into moms who appear to have it all together. The reality is, the mom who appears to have it all together, probably doesn’t. Chances are, either she’s got a great team of nannies behind the curtain, or she probably just does a great job of masking her dysfunctionality. Luckily, when you join a mommy group, it can be a much-needed reminder that you are not the only one who is losing your marbles.
Mommy groups tend to be safe spaces. And with these safe spaces, you will get the much-needed reminder from other moms that motherhood does have its moments where it’s not as glamorous as society tends to make it out to be. In a world where it’s so easy to get caught up in not “doing it right,” mommy groups serve as a good reminder that it’s okay not to have your ducks in a row.
Cut On Time? No Problem, Go Online
For some moms, the thought of joining a mommy group can seem time-consuming and impossible. The good news is, even with a busy schedule, you can still be a part of a mommy group. Search your community social media pages, and you are sure to find an online mommy group you can take part in. The great thing about online mommy groups is that you can still get the same type of invaluable help and support from a mommy group all without leaving your house. The only difference is that it gets done on your time without a set schedule or commitment.
Final Thoughts
Whether you choose to bring your little one along or take part of mommy group online instead of a traditional method, one thing is for certain. Mommy groups can be incredibly invaluable. Having the support of like-minded individuals in your life can make the journey of motherhood a lot more enjoyable and manageable. If you are teetering the line of whether or not you should join a mommy group, consider all the great benefits that a mom group can provide.
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