[oNeLoVe]

Just curious, you hear people talk about their mothers group all the time, see it mentioned on FB etc and some of them, they are still friends and still meeting up years down the track.

I never knew where to look for one when I had my first DS and not sure that I even want to try to find one now (being that I've just had baby number 2, is it more for first time mothers??) but am slightly jealous I don't have that mothers group support network!!

Where did you find yours?

[bubblebear]

Mine was organised by the health centre where the MCHN works. I got a letter inviting me to one when DS1 was about six weeks old. Maybe ask your MCHN?

[lsolaBella]

Like PP mine was organised by the local council MCHN service. Same for my Sister (I am in Melb she is in Syd).

Also I believe it is for first children only (I had a GF who had 9yrs between children as was told she did not qualify for the Mother's Group).

Oh yeah, I found MG to be a more excruciating version of High School (which I am glad I am long past). Not everyone makes life long friends.

[Dinosaurus]

Same as PP - organised by the government. Ours was great and I am in contact with about half the original 10 still regularly (every 2-3 weeks). I've heard some horros too though.

It's supposed to be for FTM but I know someone who went with her second because her first was 11 and she had been a teenager when she had her so she 'felt like a FTM'

Call your MCHN and ask

[Guest_EllieMayLee1_*]

Have you thought about joining a playgroup? It is similar. The one I am in has a mix of ages (mums and kids), family size (1st time mums, and mums with 2/3/4 kids). Maybe that is more what you're after? How old is your 1st born? Activities are arranged each week to meet the needs of a range of ages and interests. I preferred playgroup as it is not so 'competitive' (not sure if that is the right word?). The mums seem more supportive rather than "my dd/ds is already sitting up, is yours?" etc.

My mum met one of her best friends at playgroup (25 years ago). She is also my sister's godmother. So she made a lifelong friend at playgroup.

There is an annual fee (about $40) and $2/2.50 per session. (The $2 goes towards resources.)

If you google playgroup for your state you should be able to locate a few in your area.

Hope this helps.

[Sunnycat]

I never went to the one organised by my MCHN.

Instead under the influence of a particularly wicked EB Member (Bernard) I was introduced to an alternative mother's group full of truly awesome women (organised by a FB group)

Sometimes I think I should have given the MCHN one ago but I just didn't end up getting around to it. A few of my friends had babies around the same time as me so I catch up with them regularly as well.

[meggs1]

You could pop into your early childhood health centre. They often have signs for playgroups in the area.

[Emma600]

Hi onelove,
I've lately been thinking of asking a fairly similar question of the EB ladies. I did join the MCHN one but we were such a small group - only 5 - and since then we have lost 3 to full time work so most of the time it's just the 2 of us. I've just had my second bub and my mummies group friend is pregnant. We'd love another mum of 2 to catch up with, I don't suppose you live in the lake macquarie/newcastle area? That would surely be too much of a coincidence!

[oNeLoVe]

Nope,I'm in Queensland!!

Have tried playgroup and hated it. Was so clique-y and they didn't welcome new members at all, was so hard to try and get included in conversations with them as they only wanted to talk to their "friends" there. It was quite a large playgroup and had definite "groups" within it.

Maybe I should try another one...surely they can't all be like that!!

[vitaechel]

Onelove - I am sorry you had a bad experience with your playgroup. I found the one I am in to be really welcoming. It is a rural Playgroup and some of the girls had known each other most of their lives. The other mums and dads do go out of their way to try and make others welcome and now as President I encourage the rest of the committee to make sure new members feel comfortable. We have 2 days and 2 while some attend both days they used to be very distinct. The Tuesday group had a lot of mums with older kids who had known each other years and that day could come across as cliquey, but I think it was a bit of shyness for some parents. Now most of those mums have moved on (kids at school). Maybe you could give it another try? or perhaps find another one?
My first mothers group was down in Melbourne and I really didn't feel comfortable. It seemed like a competition for who had the best pram/car/best dressed etc. One of the girls was nice and it turned out she was the cousin of a friend anyway.
My mothers group up here in rural vic was through an invite from one of the mothers at Playgroup. She felt I might benefit as I was new to town. They are far more open and supportive of each other. While I don't think I would be friends with a couple of them normally, it's great to have different perspectives and new friends.