Motherhood can often be challenging for new and experienced moms alike. For new moms, the stresses of their newborn often lead to a tendency to have a very restricted social life. It’s rare to have the opportunity to meet up with friends or coworkers for a social event since most of your time is spent on taking care of your little ones.
Combined with other household and professional responsibilities, sometimes there is not a lot of time left to socialize with others. Lately, a new activity has been growing in popularity among mothers to help them bond and grow their social life while having their little one nearby. The activity: the stroller walking group.
Stroller Walking Group Defined
A mom’s stroller walking group is formed by like-minded mothers who get together for to walk their babies or children in stroller, slings, or carriers. Moms with their children—from a few weeks old to 5 years of age—get together and walk, make new friends, and talk about a variety of motherhood and parenting topics.
Why You Should Join a Stroller Group
There are several benefits you can enjoy from joining a stroller group. In addition to re-introducing exercise into your life, there are other great reasons to should join such groups.
- Decrease loneliness. If you have kids, or you are the first of your friends to a baby, being a mom sometimes can feel isolating. While your friends without kids may be eager to see your child, they, in fact, have very little appreciation of your responsibilities as a parent. There may be times when they may even dislike the changes in your schedule along with other new things brought about by your new status as a mom. This isolation can often lead to depression.
- Socialization. A stroller walking groups is an incredible way to socialize with other moms who are in the same situation as yours. As a group you may do things together like following a fitness plan through walking, running errands, and talking about motherhood topics.
- Get help and advice. Each mom has her own struggles with parenting. And often when moms meet for a stroller walk, they openly talk about these topics. Topics can range from nursing tips, healthy eating, baby health, etc. You can learn a lot by listening to the stories of other moms and asking questions.
- Encouragement. It’s very empowering to be surrounded by women who share your opinions and feelings. Stroller walkers can be like your other sisters. The information and reassurance you get from more knowledgeable mothers can be a great blessing. These walks can also increase your self-esteem and energy.
- Get exercise. Many people know that having a partner or a group of people to exercise with can often help make the activity more enjoyable and beneficial. Moms that get together to walk and exercise often feel the same way. Join a stroller walking groups for mothers to accelerate your weight loss goals in a healthy way.
Where to Find a Stroller Group
Online. Check out your local mom’s groups on Facebook. Additionally, sites like meetup.com may have groups within your area that are looking for new members.
Locally. Check with churches, community centers, fitness centers, or schools for listings of current stroller groups. Some pediatrician and OB/GYN offices may also have a listing of groups affiliated with the health center.
Create your own. When I first moved to California, I didn’t know anyone. As a work at home mom (WAHM), I did not think this would be an issue. But soon, I found being at home with the kids very isolating. I began looking for groups within my neighborhood. Being a little shy, it was hard for me to get out there to the first meeting but after a while, I found it quite natural.
I decided to create a group of my own that brought moms and kids together with other families to explore fun, healthy, and fitness-related activities within our communities and in nature. I stressed that the group was created to help other parents make new friends, find support, have friendly conversations in a judgement-free environment. Mom’s flocked to this concept. Exclusively on Facebook, moms now have the opportunity to share events, experiences, and concerns both online and in-person in a non-judgmental way.
