As you are preparing for the arrival of a new little bundle of joy, you receive many new items. From furniture to car seats, bottles and diapers, and more clothes than your baby will ever wear. All of these things are important. However, what I didn’t realize would be the most important addition to my new life as a mom, would be my fellow new mom friends. These are the friend that I made at a mommy and me meant for newborns. Obviously, this group was more for supporting the new mom. While the amazing women who ran this group helped me tremendously, the friends that I made were invaluable.
This weekly meeting with our new babies allowed for us Stay At Home moms to get out and have some adult interaction. I never realized how lonely being a new mom would be and I thoroughly looked forward to Wednesdays and being able to sit and chat with other women who were in the same boat. Our babies were mere weeks apart, and we were all struggling with nursing, sleeping, etc. The perk of meeting these amazing women with such young babies, the babies grew -up together. Our kids, now four years old, have all become friends. We all potty trained around the same time; added second babies to the family, sent our babies off to preschool – all around the same time. These “mommy group” friends became so much more than that. They became a lifeline for when life got hard!
Don’t let the cost of children’s activities hold you back – check out the library or local churches. Most libraries offer a plethora of children’s activities that are free. Many churches offer mommy and me groups, for very reasonable prices, if not free. Many children’s gyms offer free trial classes so you can hop around until you find the fit that is right for you.
Some of my favorite groups:
Nurturing Your Newborn at Spanish River Church in Boca Raton – this group is for Newborns – 1 year. The group meets weekly and is run by a lactation consultant. The group offers new moms a chance to discuss ups and downs, experiences, tips and tricks, etc.
My Gym Boynton Beach – starting at 7 months and has programs up through 10 years old. This place was awesome for my littles, especially as new walkers.
Hagen Ranch Library Children’s Programs – all of the programs here are free and engaging. The women who run the groups are sweet and knowledgeable. They offer story times and activities in a variety of age groups and with a variety of interests.
So, while we all know that is important to socialize our children, we also need to remember that we need to socialize ourselves as well. Being a new mom (or any stage mom!) is hard. Being a Stay At Home mom while an amazing privilege, it can also be very lonely and isolating. It is important to surround ourselves with friends who are like-minded and not only cheer us on when things are good but also be by your side when things get difficult. It truly takes a village.
