The Lonley Mum...a depressing title but sometimes SO true! If you're new to an area, moved to Adelaide from interstate or overseas, have no friends that have children or just out of sync with friends that do - coffee dates with just the company of your newborn can be mind numbing and just bloody lonely.
I was so lucky with my first baby that a couple of my friends also had babies around the same time. Every Monday we went for a huge pram walk and then had brunch at a café and chatted till were given dirty looks to order more coffee or lunch or leave. It was, and still is, one of the best memories I have of maternity leave. It saved my sanity every Monday to be able to talk about all the things going on, ask a million questions, answer a million more and just hang out with other people who were also sleep deprived, sore, tired, emotional and feeling clueless and sometimes even useless.
Second time around I found myself in a new state and without my Mums! I caught myself creepily eyeing out other Mother's Groups on the beach. I wanted to pull up a rug, give an intro, shout them all a coffee and sit with them and talk all things sleep routines, feeding schedules, being tired, ways my husband is annoying me, how long it's been since my hair hasn't been in a Mum Bun and really just make some cool new mum friends who are going through what I'm going through. I needed to debrief, to download, to discuss. I realised I was a bit lonely - and I also realised I can't be the only one?!
If you're still reading this, and nodding as you read, we've put together some ideas on how you, yes YOU can get out there and meet some Mums!
Find a Mother's Group right here!
If you're reading this and you're already part of a fab Mother's Group and you'd like to share it, please put some info in the comments below. If you have regular meet up day/time/location let us know about it. It might just be the thing that turns one lonely Mum into one happy Mum!
Below are a few great places we've found to start your quest to find yourself some Mums!
Find a Mother’s Group right here!
If you’re reading this and you’re already part of a fab Mother’s Group and you’d like to share it, please put some info in the comments below. If you have regular meet up day/time/location let us know about it. It might just be the thing that turns one lonely Mum into one happy Mum!
Below are a few great places we’ve found to start your quest to find yourself some Mums!
Baby Sensory Classes
The Baby Sensory program is specifically designed for babies aged from birth to 13 months. With an incredible variety of sounds, smells, sights, textures, music, dance, signing and massage, every activity is carefully crafted to stimulate your baby’s senses and move learning and development forwards. Plus, you’ll never experience the same class twice! There are 17 locations around Adelaide that you can find here
Baby and Toddler Classes
Get your babies out and about, socialising and most of all having lots of fun! Baby and Toddler classes in Adelaide can start as young as birth. Baby and toddler classes help your child with early learning and development, teaching them valuable skills from movement to language, motor skills, emotional regulation more. They’re also great for parent-child bonding and social skills and a great way for you to get out of the house and hang out with other parents. Below are some of the baby and toddler classes available in Adelaide and greater South Australia.
Visit your local library
Lots of libraries around Adelaide have FREE “rhyme time” or “babytime” sessions where Mums and Bubs can have a sing, a dance, and meet some other Mums. We have a whole page dedicated to activities at our wonderful local libraries. Pop into your local and pick up the timetable.
Villagehood Australia
Villagehood Australia is a registered charity, dedicated to empower the community and protect the health of well-being of Mums in Adelaide and around Australia. They run heaps of great programs where you can meet new Mums, including Pilates, Art Classes, Choir, Co-Working Spaces, Soft Play Area for Under 2’s and more.
Read all about Villagehood Australia
Play Naturally OT
Helping children and families connect with nature and with each other. Play Naturally OT has a fabulous opportunity for you to experience an intentionally designed nature-based child development group outside in the beautiful Belair National Park! The program is run by the lovely Prue, an experienced Occupational Therapist (OT). She uses developmentally appropriate sensory nature connection activities to support CALM, CARING, CONFIDENCE, COORDINATION and CONNECTION for all children and families. Being supported through play to spend time in nature with your family while increasing your child’s physical, cognitive, emotional, and social development as well as their environmental awareness, is invaluable!
Bootcamp/Mums and Bubs Fitness Classes
If you’re an active Mum, or wanting to be a more active Mum there are lots of baby friendly fitness classes in all areas of Adelaide. Both indoor and outdoor classes for all sorts of fitness levels. And if you get enough burpees from your baby to not want to do them yourself, just find a walking group. Nothing beats a good pram stroll and a chat in the fresh air.
We love Nourish and Flourish who are a community of mums who support each other in getting fitter and stronger, for ourselves and our families. They run a variety of classes 6 days a week at Wynn Vale and Valley View AND they have an on site creche!
If you need help finding one in your area leave a comment below and we’ll try and help you.
Online Resources
There are some great online resources out there to provide advice and further info about where to find help.
Take a look at Raising Children Network
COPE.org.au
Mumspace.com.au
Also check out the Adelaide Single Parents Facebook community
Don't forget - we'd love to know about your Adelaide Mother's Group. Please leave a comment with the details of your group, or the area you're looking for a Mother's Group and we'll do our best to match you up!
