11 weeks ago I was called by the local council mothers group organiser. She was calling to invite me to be a part of he upcoming round of mothers group for new mums. I was keen to participate as I know no other mothers of young babies like mine who live close by. Many of my friends with children are over 1/2 an hour away and with a small baby that is not a ‘coffee and a chat’ kind of distance!

So of course I accepted her invitation and a week later fronted up to our first ‘meeting’. We live in the City of Hume and mothers group here is a lovely program which runs for 10 weeks and is moderated by a wonderful woman who is employed by them. Our 10 weeks encompassed all manner of things from sleep and settling to an awesome CPR session where we learned to resuscitate a baby, child or adult and how to deal with choking. It was very empowering. We also covered first foods, introducing solids and home safety. it was all presented in a very relaxed and social environment (except the CPR which was of course more serious and focused) allowing us to get to know each other and connect.

From day one we were lucky and connected well. We all got together the next week and promptly decided once a week was not at all enough and decided that mums and bubs movies and the local cafes were to become our new occupations! In the 10 weeks since we began, we have become so very close. Confiding in each other, sharing our experiences and asking each others advice on such a wide range of topics I don’t know where to begin.

Now that our formal gatherings are no longer we have made arrangements to share out the duty of having everyone in our homes each week and another meeting somewhere else on another day. It is a beautiful thing. Many a Monday we have gotten home in the very late afternoon from our 10am session which lasts officially for 2 hours.

As a new mum it is easy to get into the same simple routine and only leave the house to do the groceries or visit family. Especially in winter the tendency is to stay home and keep your baby warm and cosy. Meanwhile going slowly insane and perhaps not realising it until it is already well set in :) Mothers group will keep you sane, it may help you make some wonderful friends, make friends for your babies that they may end up going to school with and it will most certainly brighten your weeks and be the day you look forward to the most.

Don’t despair in the sometimes lonely days of early motherhood. It can be difficult, especially if like me, you don’t have family close by to help you out or just come over for a cup of tea or to walk the baby while you have a much needed rest. There are other girls going through exactly what you are. Your mothers group may be like mine, a motley crew of girls of varying ages and backgrounds, attitudes and ideas. Or you may find a group who are similar in personality to you. Either way, embrace the experience and give it your all to get to know the others and get as much from the experience as you can.

Mothers group has taken the joy of motherhood to an entirely new level for me. And in spite of the fact that I am sure I am putting on weight from all the lunches and cakes, I would not give up ‘the girls’ and our babies for anything. Mothers Group - Give it a go - You’ll love it!