Support networks for mums; so important in feeling connected.

Please give a wonderfully warm Mouths of Mums welcome to Kerry Townsend, our newest MoM Panel member. Kerry runs a unique and incredibly helpful site just for mums Mother’s Toolkit which we absolutely love. Her blogs are always insightful, informative and from the heart. So welcome Kerry – we look forward to your wonderful words of wisdom each month on MoM. x

“In many cultures the process of bringing up children is shared by the whole family, and in some cases, the whole community. Parents in these situations rarely feel overwhelmed because there is a large support network on hand. Today, it is much more common for people to be away from their families and find themselves in a more isolated situation.

If you don’t have family and friends to call on, consider what resources are available to you, contact your local council and ask about relevant community services. Or create a support network yourself. This can take courage to initiate but there are already associations such as Playgroup Australia who can help you in doing this.

Being isolated and the associated feelings can be detrimental; if you can join or start a likeminded group of mothers you can help each other move through your challenges. Parenting is a demanding and exhausting job and smart mums just like you reach out and ask for help every day, which shows strength and courage by putting your family needs in front of your ego. Asking for support is a positive action, which will produce positive results for you and your family.

Having a support group of other mums that you can get together with on a regular basis to swap stories and discuss what’s happening will help so you don’t feel like you’re alone. You can go one step further and organise within the group to help each other out by having a cooking pool once a month where you all get together and cook dishes in bulk that you can share and freeze to have extra meals available. As well as working out a baby sitting pool whereby you each get a night out with your partner once a month. And you plan one day a month at each Mums house for a housework spree? The benefits will be endless, for you, the other mums, and your families!

This week’s challenge: Make the effort this week to meet up with a group of mums, to chat, share some stories and lighten the load! If you’re not currently part of a mums group, playgroup, school or church group, then make the effort this week to actively find one – create a support network!

Until next week, Be True, Be You, Be Happy!
Kerry
http://www.motherstoolkit.com.au/

A note from MoM:

Always remember, you are never alone – there is always help available. Get in touch with Playgroup Australia – they have a fantastically resourced website and can tell you about Playgroups in your local area that you’ll be able to join. Contact your local Early Childhood Centre or sometimes your local shopping centre may even host a regular morning catch up session for mums – our local one, an AMP Shopping Centre has a monthly Mums & Bubs group. And of course, you could have a FREE Consultation with Kerry Townsend and gain insight on your current situation and what you can do to avoid feeling isolated.

117 Comments

- - missangela said
  - 25 Aug 2013
    5:33 pm
Mothers groups can make you feel a lot better about motherhood.
- earthlydelites replied
  
  30 Aug 2013 , 4:09 pm
  the me toos! that come out of mothers groups make you feel so much better
- - traceyi said
  - 22 Aug 2013
    2:07 pm
especially mother’s group in the first few months

- - missangela said
  - 19 Aug 2013
    7:22 pm
Great , I felt very isolated when I had my baby. If it wasn’t for playgroup and mothers group. I think I would have been lonely. And of course my beautiful family.

- - sallty said
  - 14 Aug 2013
    8:17 am
I had a look at that website and its incredibly helpful. Thank you for putting it together and I wish I found out about it years ago!

- - earthlydelites said
  - 12 Aug 2013
    1:34 pm
its so essential to have these types of friends and support networks, makes you know you’re not alone!

- - kjgarner said
  - 31 Jul 2013
    7:53 pm
Its where I have friends to talk to about babies and stuff.

- - jaimilayt said
  - 28 Jul 2013
    11:32 pm
Read it! Recommended 🙂 !!!!

- - kate_reid said
  - 28 Jul 2013
    8:12 pm
I think we all need someone who we know will be there if needed.

- - mrsfritz said
  - 26 Jul 2013
    10:46 am
Thanks for sharing this interesting article.

- - jenny9761 said
  - 13 Jul 2013
    3:35 pm
I found mixing with other mums, made me feel less alone, and I could talk about all the questions I had about why different things where happening and why.

- - rachkap said
  - 10 Jul 2013
    2:01 am
I think social interaction is important for all people. It is proven that talking to others and having a social life or support group significantly reduces the likelihood of mental illness.
- sallty replied
  
  21 Aug 2013 , 9:05 am
  That’s really interesting, I didn’t realise that. Thanks for sharing!
- - tammykilby said
  - 05 Jul 2013
    1:06 pm
great info its amazing what just talking to other mums can do. it makes u feel like ur nit the only one who makes mistakes..an its good to have some adilt convos too.. i loved it when my kids went to play group for these resons.

- - josa12 said
  - 01 Jul 2013
    11:21 pm
Thanks the great info.!
- josa12 replied
  
  01 Jul 2013 , 11:25 pm
  for*
- - broke said
  - 28 Jun 2013
    3:46 pm
great suggestions I only wish that i was outgoing enough to do that, I have just joined a new playgroup which has been great when i have been able to take my son, with work and my older childrens commitments we don’t always make it but it has been lovely to find one that we actually fit in with.

- - ksusha said
  - 28 Jun 2013
    2:29 pm
When you have a baby you start to understand how important to have the support. No matter how independent you used to be. “No man is an island”:). Thanks for the article

- - kjgarner said
  - 26 Jun 2013
    7:26 pm
I am glad I have a mother’s group, we use to catch up once a week but now that our kids are older we try and catch up once a month and now that I have twins I also have a twins mother’s group and we catch up once a fortnight to once every 3 weeks and its good to get out and about and feel like a normal person.

- - jaymarie12 said
  - 26 Jun 2013
    1:10 pm
I think it is handy to find a good support group but at the same time make sure you don’t try and change who you are to try and fit in with these people!
- lynzstevo replied
  
  30 Jun 2013 , 9:50 pm
  Yes I agree with you!
  - ginoula5 replied
    
    17 Aug 2014 , 5:41 pm
    
    Also completely agree with you, stay true to who you are, if they don’t accept that then that group isn’t for you, plenty of others around 🙂
- - maureen3 said
  - 24 Jun 2013
    3:48 pm
An interesting read with a lot of good tips

- - katelt said
  - 24 Jun 2013
    2:57 pm
Forgot to say though, I adore playgroup – actual adult interaction!

- - katelt said
  - 24 Jun 2013
    2:55 pm
My brother drives me nuts – he lives in the same town as my parents, so has constant support – I’ve got none! He is forever going on about how easy it all is, not realising how much my parents do for him!