It’s not always easy to make mom friends (or meet other caregivers)
Whether you’ve already got that bundle of joy in your hands or you’re still waiting on the arrival of a new baby, everybody says those early days of being a parent can be lonely if you don’t have others to support you through the experience.
There’s nothing like having a community of support at your fingertips. The trouble is, where do we find other moms (or dads!) that can provide us with valuable insights, useful information, and a friendly face when we need those things most?
We’ve spoken with hundreds of new parents, and the results are in. Read on for the top five recommended ways to meet other new moms (and in many cases, other new dads and other caregivers)!
Never despair again that you don’t know how to meet other mom friends.
5. Your local library
Free, family-oriented, and a no brainer when it comes to access to all kinds of early literacy experiences, local libraries all over the world have wonderful programming for families with infants and toddlers. Often referred to as “Baby Rhyme Time,” these are often great opportunities to get out of the house, chat with and observe other parents and caregivers interacting with other young children, and even learn some new songs. Many libraries in the United States are working with early childhood organizations to make their programming (and training for librarians!) more focused on young families and early development. In a group setting like this, there’s lots of opportunity for repetition (great for learning the songs, and great for your baby!) and the setting is fairly informal – and since it’s free, there’s less pressure to worry about whether your baby is awake or not!
4. La Leche League
If you’re breastfeeding (whether you’re struggling or not), La Leche League chapters are located all over the world, and are meant to support breastfeeding moms. Though the focus is on breastfeeding, these meetings provide lots of opportunity to sit and chat with other local moms about any and everything. You can use their interactive map to find a group that meets near you.
3. Local Hospital groups
Many local hospitals hold early parent support groups, and many of them are “drop-in.” Some charge, and some are free; some focus more on a particular topic or theme (e.g., post-partum support, breastfeeding support, infant development), and some are more general. Most don’t require you to have given birth in their facility, which means that if you live in an area with several hospitals, you might have your pick!
2. Classes
Fitness classes that make use of babies in strollers and yoga classes for moms and infants are becoming more and more popular. These groups are fantastic because they get us out of the house, keep us active, and help us feel better physically, getting the blood pumping and the body moving.
There are also wonderful enrichment classes available to attend with your baby that are meant more for the baby. Often, these are focused on helping parents interact with their babies using sensory experiences, sign language, or music. The cost of classes can add up to be prohibitive, and you’ll want to ensure you read reviews of the quality from other families before you sign up!
The Learn With Less® Curriculum is provided in local communities, and you can find out more about attending a live, local class here!
Want to become a facilitator, teaching the Learn With Less® Curriculum in your community? You can learn more about certification here!
1. The Learn With Less® Curriculum
The best way to meet other new moms and dads is by participating in the Learn With Less® Curriculum Online Family Program, which combines high quality facilitated content with access to a supportive, nurturing community of families with infants and toddlers.
This completely virtual platform is dedicated to providing high-quality educational content and a safe, supportive atmosphere for parents and caregivers of tiny humans, all over the world.
It’s important to get out of the house with a new baby, but it’s not always possible. When baby is napping, sick, or we’re just plain exhausted and we still need a way to socialize, a virtual platform like the members area of the Learn With Less® Curriculum (which is much more robust than any 90’s-style chat forums, and more private and discerning than local facebook groups) is a wonderful option for many families.
Due to its digital nature, this is a great option for all parents – working or stay-at-home, moms or dads who’d like to be able to attend events (live or recorded), share experiences and ideas, and access research-based information and ideas about early child development – without having to leave the comfort of their own home.