Mother's Group

(L-R): Jesse, Mary, Oswald, Naomi, Taj, Seth, Daniel, Timothy

On the day Oswald was born, my job title was officially changed to "SAHM" (Stay-At-Home-Mom). I work around the clock with no OT allowance, no bonuses and with very minimal sleep. It is very different from my previous work life. My main day-to-day job description includes changing nappies, nursing, settling the boss, bathing, singing to the boss, and very often it also includes handwashing poop stained clothes, sheets or towels. The one activity that keeps me sane is the regular meet-up with my mother's group. The group was arranged by the Monash Council aiming to provide a social and support network to first time mothers or mothers whose newborn has a huge age gap with his older sibling(s) in the local community. The first 6 weeks was held at the Maternal and Child Health (MCH) centre in Pinewood and facilitated by the MCH nurse. After that, it is up to the members to continue to meet up. Our group consists of mothers from diverse background, including Indian, Australian, Malaysian, Indonesian, Italian, German and Chinese. Not a bad mix at all!

Some activities we have done as a group so far:

• Baby time at the Glen Waverley local library
• A nature walk at Jells Park 
• Catch up and share parenting techniques at members' homes
• Mums and bubs movie session at Village cinema

Besides this, together with one other mother, I have also gone to a Mums and Bubs group exercise session organized by the council and visited a few childcare centres. 

We are now planning to visit the free information session at Gymbaroo next. Not too certain what they do but it is for child development.