Discover ways to find community and build meaningful connections even as a busy mom. Below is an excerpt from The Exhaustive Guide on Finding Your Mom Village published by The Mother Chapter.
How to Find Your Mom Village Locally
So how do you start finding your mom village? The first way is through local resources that can help you create bonds with other mothers. Here are a few ways we recommend getting started:
Join Local Mom Groups
One of the easiest ways to start finding your mom village is by joining local mom groups. These can be through community centers, churches or social media platforms like Facebook and Meetup. Facebook groups are a great place to start as they allow you to see location and certain interests, like a new mom group, working mothers, fitness mothers and so many more. The community organizers who run these local groups can also help you find the right place for you and your lifestyle. Whether you’re looking for more structured meetups or casual meetups in the park or at coffee shops, there’s most likely a group of mamas out there for you.
Explore Baby Classes and Groups
Another great way to look for classes like ‘mom and me’ yoga, music or storytime at libraries, which can provide opportunities to meet other moms in your area. “Attending a mommy-and-me class or a support group are great ways to connect with other moms and build a village. You can find a local mommy-and-me class by searching online in your area,” Guarnotta explained.
Meetups like these can help you connect with mothers who are at similar stages in their journey, which can help you find more common ground and create a foundation for a lasting relationship as your babies grow.
Utilize Local Resources Like Hospitals and Clinics
Another way to find your mom village locally is through hospitals or clinics. Many hospitals, birthing centers or pediatric clinics offer new parent support groups, breastfeeding classes or postpartum support groups that can help you connect with other mothers. These meetups are designed to create a sense of community and give you practical support as you navigate new motherhood. These health-focused resources often foster strong, supportive communities.
How to Find Your Mom Village Online
If you are a mom who might not have access to local groups or you just prefer the flexibility of virtual connections, online communities can be an excellent option. Here are some ways to find your mom village virtually.
Join Online Support Groups for Moms
Social media platforms are the best place to start. Whether you’re using Facebook, Instagram or mom-focused platforms like Peanut, there’s definitely an online space for you and your wants. Peanut specifically is a social network for moms to connect with each other. There’s plenty of categories from motherhood, fertility, pregnancy—and even menopause. Try to find groups that are at the stage of motherhood you are in or are facing the same challenges you are, like a breastfeeding or postpartum recovery group. The benefit of having your group online is they are there whenever you need, which makes it super easy to connect with moms all over the world who know what you are going through.
For moms who have just moved to a new area, technology can help bridge the gap if you are struggling to find your mom village. Online communities are an easy (and less anxiety-inducing) way to find plenty of options and help you create meaningful connections just a tap away.
Engage with Parenting Blogs and Social Media Influencers
Reading parenting blogs and connecting with social media influencers can be another great way to connect with your mom village online. There are plenty of influencers out there who have built and structured their platform on engaging with mothers, sharing advice and offering resources. By following these influencers or blogs, you’ll have a direct line to other like-minded mothers in discussions or comments. Here are some of our favorites:
- Cat & Nat: This mom BFF duo has seven kids between them, so it’s safe to know they have a fair share of experience to offer. They share stories and even founded The Common Parent, a toolkit focused on parenting teens and tweens. They love their community, and are even going on tour to share the most honest and unfiltered moments of motherhood.
- Moments of Musing: Jackei Hernandez Lewis created her blog for mothers and women everywhere. She wants mothers to have the permission to feel human and realize that life is not perfect.
- Mommasgonewild: Jessica Shyba gets real about motherhood and she’s all about helping mothers feel less alone in their journeys.
Ask Your Friends
If all else fails, just reach out to your friends and family who are mothers and ask how they found their mom villages. They might be able to connect you with some groups or even other moms who need to build their village.
Check out the full article to learn more about building your mom village.
For more on all things motherhood, visit The Mother Chapter.
