About a month after Little A was born, I began researching mommy and me programs or activities I could do with her. There was really nothing that was close to my house but I did come across a program called OC Mommy and Me.  I was intrigued because it sounded exactly like what I was looking for- a support group for new moms with children that were around the same age.  As an older mom, most of my friends have kids who are already in grade school or middle school so I really wanted to be a part of a mommy group with kids that are the same age as mine. I hoped that this would be what I was looking for.  I quickly signed up and waited for the first class to begin.  My daughter was going to be about 8 weeks old by the time the first class started and I was able to get another mommy friend (who I didn’t know that well) to sign up with me.

Little A & friend at their first class.

OC Mommy & Me

In July of 2013, I walked into what would be one of the most enriching and wonderful experiences as a first-time mom.  It was a little bit awkward at first because we didn’t know each other but there was a bond that was formed because we were all first-time moms and we were all in the trenches of the early months of motherhood.  And boy were those trenches deep at times!

I looked forward to my weekly 35-minute drive to class to just sit with the other moms, learn from specialists on various topics that were so relevant for a first-time mom, and socialize with someone other than my drooling infant.  I knew that the topics discussed could easily be googled and after some researching, I could probably find the information or read about it in a parenting book.  But discussing it with a group who is going through the same thing is more powerful and effective. I didn’t feel like I was the only one going through sleepless nights or nursing strikes. We were all in it together.

A quote by C.S. Lewis about friendship comes to mind about the group of women who have since become some of my closest mommy friends.

Friendship is born at that moment when one man says to another: “What! You too? I thought that no one but myself..”

There were many moments in class when we would look at each other and say “Me too! That’s exactly what’s going on.”  It was like an “ah-ha!” moment—you could look around the class and see each of the women nod in agreement. Those first few months were rough as a new mom but having the support of Alex from OC Mommy and Me and my mommy group helped tremendously.

our babies on the last day of class in September 2013

my tribe

I left the class feeling empowered as a mom instead of defeated despite the lack of sleep and being overwhelmed at times because I was equipped with so much knowledge from our class.  The discussions with the other moms helped me vent about the struggles as a new mom so I no longer felt like I was alone!  We were all able to commiserate with one another and also share in the delightfulness and wonder of motherhood. This isn’t just another mommy group.  We have different personalities and backgrounds but we all got along very well.  Some of us co-sleep while others sleep train.  Some nursed while others fed their babes formula.  Never once did I feel like someone looked at me like I was crazy for whatever parenting method I was using.  I never once felt judged by any of them!  I think it has a lot to do with the type of moms that are a part of the OC Mommy and Me family and I also believe it trickles down from the founder Alex, who is such a positive and supportive role model for OC moms.
I loved that the classes were private and small.  If I needed to change or feed my daughter, I could.  There was no such thing as a “dumb” question.  I felt safe to say anything or ask anything.  Alex is amazing and I can’t say enough great things about her and her program.Even though the classes have been over for quite some time, our group is still meeting for playdates and special celebrations.  Sometimes we can’t meet as often as we want due to conflicting nap schedules or distance but we support each other through texts or messages on our own private Facebook group.  Looking back at these pictures makes me so happy– just seeing how much our kids have grown and how many awesome memories they have and will have together.

moms night out

I can’t believe these little nuggets are going to be TWO now!
I love my OC Mommy and Me friends.  I know there are now many other mommy groups that have formed and you can call me biased but this one is the best since it’s the first one that started in Orange County.  If I had to do it again, there is no doubt in my mind that I would sign up in a heartbeat.  Do you have a mommy group that you are a part of?  Did you find your mommy tribe?  What helped you as a first-time mom?