With a new baby, comes a new phase of life, and new concerns. And for some of our clients, this new phase comes with the need for new friends- mom friends and a parent group.
This happens a lot if you’re the first among your friends to have kids. On the other end of the spectrum, the same concern comes up if you’re one of the last and everyone has teenagers while you have a brand new baby.
When you’re worried about your boobs and bottles, while everyone else is brunching… things can be awkward. There are things that your friends in a different stage of life can absolutely do to be more understanding (as a doula without kids, trust me, it’s possible). At the same time, maybe you want a social group who gets it because they’re living it.
We get it, and your DC metro doulas have got your back.
A good parent group makes a difference. Having a support system can help you love life with an infant, and support is key is in having a happy postpartum recovery.
Here are a few places to find friends, vetted by yours truly (and our clients who blazed the trail before you):
- District Motherhued (follow them on their instagram hashtag, #dmvmomtribe) hosts gatherings regularly throughout the year. If you’re looking for lots of melanin, support, and the excitement of getting tickets to a Beyonce concert every time they announce an event, they’re your girls. In particular, the annual Momference is a treat you don’t want to miss.
- Another parent group focused on mothers of color is Mocha Moms, which has several chapters in the area. All mothers, at any stage of parenting, are welcome.
- If you’re looking specifically for support for postpartum mood and anxiety disorders, Postpartum Support International has trusted resources in Maryland and Virginia, including excellent new parent groups. Local therapist at Akoma Counseling Concepts and Happy Parents Happy Babies also regularly offer group therapy.
- After a cesarean birth, it can sometimes be helpful to talk to others who share the experience. ICAN of Northern VA can provide a great deal of support.
- Parenting more than one infant at a time is an experience that not everyone can quite relate to. Fortunately, you’ll find support at Montgomery County Parents of Multiples and Northern Virginia Parents of Multiples.
- Local breastfeeding support groups can also provide a lot of value. Even if you’re not exclusively breastfeeding, or having challenges, just go make a friend. One of our trusted IBCLCs at Crowned & Cradled often leads a group.
- Many of our doula clients are in Prince George’s County, and there’s a thriving community called the Mama Sisterhood of PG County that you should know about. Whether you’re looking for a meetup, the inside track of schools, or a cleaning service, they’ve got you.
Haven’t found exactly what you’re looking for yet? Maybe you’ll find it here, at the Red Tricycle’s list of 44 Parenting Groups in the DC metro area.
Have you had an amazing experience and met your lifelong besties somewhere? Tell us where in the comments!
Learn more about Attain here, our online pregnancy course for black women.
