The one thing that is important after having a baby (other than keeping them happy, healthy, fed, alive, etc) [lol one thing] is to find people who you can vent to. The fourth trimester is a real thing. The time period no one really warns you about. Cue the apps and mom groups, or even text chains with your friends who have lived through the same thing before.
There is such a great bond and unspoken sisterhood between moms. From the time you bring a newborn home to when they are in school, there are always questions but more importantly always other moms who can relate and provide tips, tricks, and advice.
For those who don’t always have the benefit of friends or family to lean on, here are some fantastic resources I use myself. I am very lucky and fortunate to have some of the greatest friends who happen to be the greatest mothers, but for the times they are sick of hearing from me [I’m not a mom but am I in this category?], I go to these sources (and yes, google too) for help and sanity.
This free online parents group is a manual for anything children. From online classes prior to baby being born, to lactation assistance and classes, to discussion boards. This resource is an online community for parents to connect with one another and exchange ideas, reviews, and even baby gear. You can create your own groups or join existing ones. This is a nice sense of online community to fall back on when you have random questions or need a quick catch up course on your kids needs/behaviors.
I was honestly skeptical about this one at first, felt like Bumble for moms [ooo tell me more… is there a hot dad version?]. It’s an app which has community boards and chats for you to connect with other mothers on various topics. The one thing I like about this app is that it’s not just for new moms, it’s for anyone on the mom journey. Whether you’re TTC, pregnant, new parent, or a vet mom who has seen it all. I’m not sure I will warm up to the app, but I can see how it’s a great place for others who need a community.
Once you have children who are out of the newborn/infant stage, you’re in a different game. How do you entertain them? This resource is AWESOME. There is an answer, idea, or solution for any questions I’ve had when it comes to things to do with my kids in NYC. From school recommendations to what parks should we attend… this is it.
Seems outdated – but it’s not. [uh oh I deleted my Facebook… future me is screwed] There is a group for almost any neighborhood or city for moms. I personally rely on Upper East Side Moms and groups for Indian Moms in NYC. I get all sorts of recommendations, ideas, and also information from these groups. Find a local group for yourself, they are great resources.
If you’re a mom expecting or one that has a team of kids at home, let us know what you do to find sanity, answers, and more importantly a sense of community!
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