I was 21 when I had my son, and thought about mums groups but never looked into it. I did take him to a playgroup around 1 year old, and felt out of place as the mums were much older than me and already had their “circle”. All their kids wanted to play inside whilst mine wanted to play outside, so we were on our own anyway. First and only time we went.

Yes, mother groups form a place to share and connect, often friendships for mum and kids are being made and it is simply fun.

yeah great idea

I didn’t join a mother’s group because I had other support, but I’ve heard it’s a good avenue for support and friendship.

Are you thinking for a newborn, which is the council organised Mothers Group which is fantastic. Even if you have lots of friends, meeting parents of babies around (by a few weeks) the same cannot be understated. Its a group that you will find you rely on to help you through early parenting and hopefully will continue as your child grows (although harder as people return to work) Play group is another great activity to do with older kids that run around to preschool as often they have craft etc. Look around as some are more resourced than others. Either stay local and meet local parents or you can travel a bit if you are looking at a very reasonable priced way to have your kids interact with others – good luck

Love my mother’s group. Nearly 6 years on and we still catch up regularly. The kids are all fab friends and to be honest – no-one understands you like another mum in a similar situation.

it can be! it is up to you whether you will find that something that you like.

Most definitely!! Excellent support system a mothers’ group is =D And also allows you child to socialize and be able to have some friends to invite over for a birthday =D

I didn’t go to mothers group as moved when baby was very young (under 2 months). I found support through other groups ABA, playgroups and story time at local library. Look for groups with like minded mums and you will benefit. It’s beneficial to be part of a few different mums groups if possible. When a bit older, kindremusic and kinder gym and the like are also great as mums and kids work together and gives great play ideas for at home too.

Some kindergartens are used for playgroup one morning a week. The rest of the week it is used a normal kindergarten. I am not sure at what age you can take you little one to playgroup. Mums chat while the little ones play together. I don’t know whether or not there is a charge. Some local councils have groups or a list where they can be accessed. In country areas some churches run groups or an organisation uses the building. others. I’m not sure whether or not orgainsations such as YMCA run them. I know they have support groups. I have seen people getting off buses with children hanging onto things which look like activites in progress.

That is true, not only your children making friends but us as well

yep great not only have my kids found friends but so have i. Our oldest have just turned seven and we are still going strong. We are planning our ten year anniversary a holiday without the kids. Yeh Team……

Might have to look into it!

I thought you got referred to a mothers group after the birth of a child. I’m not sure how you would go about joining one when the kids are older. There are many other ways to meet mums and kids, like playgroup, kindgym, gymbaroo etc.

I always went to play groups and kid music groups when my kids were really little. I made some great friends from them.

It depends on the group, the group dynamic etc – I got a lot of benefits from my group and still have friends 2 years later from the group. I’d also try library groups qnd activities such as music group, swimming lessons, etc