The Mom Network

Nurture

They say it takes a village to raise a child. Our world is more connected than ever, but it can be hard to cultivate authentic friendships, especially if you’re entering a new phase of life. As a parent, how do you find your village? These groups around Atlanta make it easier to connect with other moms and caregivers by offering classes and programs designed for the entire family.

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Nurture

An initiative of The Davis Academy, Nurture provides special programming to support families with young children. The Mini Cubs program caters to families with newborns to age 2, and Cub Club is for ages 3-5.

“Families thrive when they have a support network. Grounded in Jewish values, Nurture welcomes families of all backgrounds to participate and discover valuable, local caregiver resources,” says Amy Helman-Darley, the Outreach and Engagement Manager. “Nurture events and series seek to help families with children at similar ages and stages deepen their Jewish identity, connect with one another, and feel supported as they navigate the wonderful, yet sometimes complicated journey of raising children in today’s world.”

Professionals across areas of child and family development serve on the Advisory Council. Costs vary across events, but there are also free opportunities.

“Each program is developed with a lot of intention and attention to detail. From the moment families walk through the door, we strive to create a space and experience that is comforting, inclusive and leaves the parent and child with a meaningful experience,” Helman-Darley says.

Laura Silverstein began attending classes with her daughter when she was 8 months old; she is now 2. “I love watching my daughter sing, dance, play and create with other babies. It’s been such a surprise on my journey in motherhood how wonderful relationships with other moms and their babies are and how much we all need each other. Nurture has made meeting other moms easy. Motherhood is amazing but also can be a big adjustment. Being surrounded by mamas who are also feeling the same way is so comforting. We need each other through life’s ups and downs to celebrate and support one another.”

The Bunny Hive

Friends Brittany Schmid and Katy Doar had their babies around the same time, but they had trouble relating to other moms. At mommy and me classes in their new cities, there was no way to connect to the adults who attended them.

The pair co-founded The Bunny Hive, a social club for children and adults, in Atlanta in 2019. In a space designed for learning, playing and socializing, classes take place six days a week.

“Brittany and I had the grown-up experience top of mind,” says co-founder and President Doar. “Our curriculum is interlaced with icebreakers and different things to help families to get to know each other.”

Classes include Sensory, Culinary Exploration, Learning Lab and more. Now, the franchise has locations in Roswell, Smyrna and Peachtree City.

“We focus on a sense of community and well-being for new parents,” says co-founder and CEO Schmid. “Every stage of early childhood has challenges, so it’s important to connect with other new parents, especially those with postpartum depression or anxiety.”

Creating kinship with other parents keeps new moms from feeling lonely.

“The reason we created this concept is there is such a feeling of isolation in parenthood,” Doar says. “You have a new identity, but you might not have support. We know what needs are in the community, and we meet them.”

Participant Carolyn Conforti agrees. “They are always using customer feedback to evolve into new ideas. The world is such a lonely place these days, and our modern world isn’t designed with moms in mind. Having a community makes motherhood feel a little less daunting and a lot more fun.”

Bailey Jones was a founding member when her first son was born, and she still participates with her third son, who is 7 weeks old. “While motherhood is so beautiful and rewarding, it is also hard and exhausting and, sometimes, lonely. We may parent differently, but we’re on the same journey together, and a positive sense of community makes that a lot more enjoyable.”

CircleMoms

In 2022, Ashley Gotlieb had her first child and wanted to find mom friends nearby. On Instagram, she saw a CircleMoms post about an Atlanta launch, and Gotlieb became the Atlanta City Lead that June when her daughter was 6 months old.

CircleMoms is for moms in their fourth trimester — the first three months after birth. Led by doulas specializing in maternal health, the Circle series helps create lasting relationships with other moms.

“During the first session, participants get to know each other, and ask any questions they have to their postpartum doula. Many moms are first-time moms, but many are not. The series is 100% conversational, and many moms will share advice alongside the doula,” Gotlieb says.

Megan Elgort participated in CircleMoms in March. “In a big city like Atlanta, I had no idea where to begin, so when I came across CircleMoms, I was immediately intrigued. When I learned more about the structure of the Circles, the dedicated doula and resources specifically focused on newborns and postpartum, I was sold. Plus, it gave me something in my schedule to get out of the house.”

Each week of the series, moms meet with their doula and Circle for topics relevant to the well-being of mama and baby.

“Meeting new people and getting to know them can be intimidating, especially when your whole world has changed overnight,” Elgort says. “Knowing there was a specialist scheduled each week or a specific topic for the group to discuss made the threshold for meaningful connection lower. I love the online community and road map CircleMoms offers.”

Other events for families include playtime parties and Milestone Classes. “The moms are encouraged to get together,” Gotlieb says. “We continue building community, and we have events for our alumni.”

“Motherhood can be an intense journey, full of unique challenges and beautiful moments, and connecting with other moms creates a sense of community,” says founder Brittany Forman. “CircleMoms offers a space to share experiences, seek advice and gain reassurance that you’re not alone in this amazing, scary and transformative time.”

MESH moms

Even for mamas who have experienced motherhood before, a group can be beneficial.

“I never realized I needed a mom community until I found one when my fourth child was born,” says MESH moms co-founder Martina Stellmaszek. During the pandemic, her family temporarily relocated. “When I moved to the West Coast, in my 40s and pregnant with my fourth baby, I was skeptical about joining a mom’s club. I feared I wouldn’t have much in common with the other women, but I was completely wrong. I got to know amazing women from diverse backgrounds, and I learned something new every day. The experience of being surrounded by supportive moms was a revelation compared to my earlier pregnancies and postpartum months.”

After her experience, Stellmaszek wanted to bring a similar concept to Atlanta.

“We wanted to create for new moms in Atlanta what we had been missing: a network that brings moms together to share their experiences and find the support they need,” says co-founder Juliana Caspari. “Motherhood is challenging enough. No one should have to go through it alone.”

Started in July 2023, this membership-based group focuses on pregnancy and early childhood. Activities include playdates, parent education and adults-only social gatherings. Postpartum Pods offer a small group learning experience in the three months after birth and are led by a doula. Members also have access to a private online platform and WhatsApp groups.

“Our goal is for our members to make new friends with moms who are in the same stage of life. The cornerstone is our age-based playgroups that gather for stroller walks, coffee dates, park hangouts for babies and playground meetups for older kids,” Stellmaszek says. “Members can exchange birth preparation plans, tips for weaning, potty training and more — all with a spirit of solidarity and always free of judgment.”

A Google search led Margaret Van Valkenburg to MESH moms, which she joined in January. “I love the educational events MESH moms hosts. Subject matter experts host events centered around important topics in early childhood. MESH moms also hosts classes focused on supporting moms around important topics, such as mom guilt, balancing careers and family financial planning.”

FIT4MOM

FIT4MOM provides an opportunity for moms to bond while working on their fitness. Founded in San Diego in 2001, the North Atlanta franchise offers class locations in the metro area.

After having her first child in 2015, Rebekah Murphy quit her career to stay home with her son. She loved outdoor boot camp workouts but didn’t feel comfortable leaving her new baby in a gym daycare. She discovered FIT4MOM through a Google search, and in 2023, she became the new owner. “I raised three babies in this community. FIT4MOM had become synonymous with motherhood for me,” she says.

Breaking out of feeling isolated can be an important part of joining a mom group.

“FIT4MOM has provided a community of strong-willed, powerful and encouraging moms who come together daily to support each other in all walks of life,” says participant Amanda Stratton.

Workouts are created by moms, for moms with pre and postnatal health, wellness and fitness programs, such as Stroller Strides, Body Well, FIT4BABY, Stroller Barre and more. The structure of the program allows moms to bond over a shared activity.

As a new mom, Sarah Roberts wasn’t returning to work. “I desired the community I thoroughly enjoyed as a teacher. I was a seasoned teacher but a totally inexperienced first-time mom. I longed for veteran wisdom and sincere friendship. FIT4MOM provided instant community when I was warmly welcomed by the instructor during my first class when my son was 8 weeks old.”

Physical well-being plays an important role in mental and emotional health.

“The overall happiness and health of a family originates from a mom. When a mom has the support and community she needs for her unique motherhood journey, her mental health is improved,” Murphy says. “With FIT4MOM, women not only receive tremendous mental and physical health and fitness benefits, but perhaps, more importantly, a village and a support system.”

Jennifer Jakob-Barnes joined FIT4MOM in early 2015 after her first baby was born, and three kids later, she still attends classes. She loves that children get to see the value of exercise. “It’s a benefit for moms and children. The time is important for your child, especially young ones, as they’re getting to interact with others, even if they’re just watching older children.”

Establishing relationships is especially important for parents who may not have any other family in the area, like Hannah Rose, who joined FIT4MOM in fall 2021. “I don’t know what I would have done when we had our second child. With my parents two hours away, I didn’t have to worry about my oldest when I went into labor in the middle of the night. I knew I could call one of my best friends, a FIT4MOM friend, and trust her with my daughter for as long as we needed.”

Relationships with fellow moms can help a new mom manage her expectations about the joys and challenges of motherhood.

“Whether it’s having a fellow mom to text during middle-of-the-night newborn feedings for solidarity or a friend to share in the excitement of your baby’s first steps, it completely changes the game when you have a community of fellow mothers supporting and cheering you on every step of the way,” participant Marybeth Marlow says. “Moms need a community because nobody was meant to do motherhood alone. When a baby is born, a mother is, too.”