Parenting Articles

The Benefits of a Mom’s Group

Lee Eisman
eastbaymom(at)aol.com
www.eastbaymoms.com

Becoming a new parent can be a very challenging transition. Whether you return to work or stay home full-time, many changes are taking place in your life and you’ll need some type of a support system more than ever. Joining a new mom’s group can be very beneficial. (I’m using the term mom, but keep in mind that the same issues also apply to dads.) Many different types of groups exist, including support groups for first time moms, mom’s clubs, special interest groups, playgroups, and activity groups such as East Bay Moms.

When my son was born, I joined a support group for first time moms facilitated by Sherry Reinhardt, who is very well known in the East Bay and has been offering these types of groups for over twenty-five years! Sherry’s groups are organized geographically so that the moms have a greater likelihood of  remaining together after their eight weeks of facilitated meetings. During these eight weeks, topics such asinfant care and development, emotional issues, relationships with partners, and more are discussed. Of the original twelve moms in my group, five of us have remained close friends (as are our children) for over thirteen years! And that’s not unusual for Sherry’s groups!

Mom Clubs are typically non-profit groups that depend on their members to volunteer in various capacities to keep the club running efficiently. These clubs usually publish a monthly newsletter, coordinate playgroups and other family activities and hold a monthly meeting. A directory of Bay Area Mothers Clubs can be found on the San Francisco Bay Area Mothers/MOMS Clubs web site.

Special interest groups for new parents include groups for single parents, adoptive parents, gay/lesbian parents, parents of multiples, parents who speak a foreign language, parents of children with specific disabilities or conditions, etc. These types of groups are great for sharing information on needs specific to their population. An internet search specifying your geographic area and special need should help you find an appropriate group.

Playgroups are groups of parents who get together with their children of similar ages on a regular basis to enable the children to learn how to socialize, while the parents also get the opportunity to interact. Playgroups might meet at a park or other kidfriendly destination, or alternate meeting at members’ homes.

East Bay Moms is an example of an activity group; we began over ten years ago as a hiking group for parents and their babies. For moms who enjoyed exercise prior to having a baby, it’s often challenging to remain active after giving birth. East Bay Moms was founded to meet this need. Every Friday, we offer a hike or stroller walk, ranging from easy to difficult, to enable new parents to remain active while spending quality time with their children and other parents.

To find the types of groups described above, visit these web sites:

Mother’s Groups - www.supportgroupformothers.com
San Francisco Bay Area Mothers/MOMS Clubs - www.geocities.com/sfbamc
East Bay Moms - www.eastbaymoms.com
Twins by the Bay – www.twinsbythebay.homestead.com
East Bay Dads – eastbaydads.org

Many of these sites also have links to sites of other groups. If you’re unable to locate an existing group in your area, consider starting one. Be proactive: call other moms in your area you know from your childbirth class, the park, or other sources. Place classified ads in local newspapers, post notices on web sites such as craigslist (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/) and Berkeley Parent’s Network
(http://parents.berkeley.edu/) and put up fliers in your neighborhood.

Whatever type of group (or groups) you decide to join or start, find a group that meets your specific needs or interests. Becoming a new parent can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to do it alone! Many parents who meet in the types of groups described above become life-long friends, as do their children. It’s a new phase of your life, and a great time to make new friends!

East Bay Moms is a membership organization for parents of infants and toddlers. Our mission is to provide support, companionship and networking for its members. All interested parents of infants and toddlers are welcome to join.

Lee Eisman
eastbaymom(at)aol.com
www.eastbaymoms.com