Social Connection Matters

The transition to motherhood brings about many changes to your life. An unexpected adjustment for some is a loss of social activity. If you are the first to have a child in your circle, you may find friends fall away as they run on different schedules and interests. Similarly moving from the inbuilt social structure of a work place to long days at home can be very isolating. Pregnancy is often spent focusing on growing a baby and not so much about how you will go afterwards.

It is not surprising that research supports social support as improving self-esteem and confidence. So how do we ensure we have the skills and resources to keep connected?

Proactive research and initiative is required to combat loneliness.

Seek out what is available in your area. Go to your local library for story time, visit local parks or join a playgroup to give yourself opportunity to meet people in the same boat. Set yourself goals of people to call or catch up with. Take up a hobby for some adult time out. Whatever you do don’t assume it won’t happen to you.

Keeping up your social fitness faces some of the same barriers as making time to exercise. There are always excuses such as that you won’t fit in with a mothers group, you have nothing interesting to say to your friends, too busy caring for baby or simply too tired to do anything. More than ever you need people to support you.

 It may mean asking for help or not being afraid to share the minutia of your day without letting fear of rejection get in the way. Online options are another useful fall back to keeping connected with other mums. We are all different in our social needs so be sure to seek out what keeps you feeling happy and supported.

Raising kids is so much easier with community and it’s up to all of us to model this by being good neighbours, checking up on friends and making use of what’s available to help meet our individual needs.