The launch of OhBaby! magazine had us up late nights, feeding {ourselves} at odd hours and sometimes in tears… kind of like when we were transitioning into our role as new moms. So we turned to the support of each other – just how the support of our mom friends got us through those early days as a new parent and the years after. It was only fitting that we feature Indianapolis mom groups worth investigating in OhBaby!
This annual publication launched in April 2016, jam-packed with info, resources, and laughs for the new and expectant parent. Follow along this year as we highlight a few of the feature stories from OhBaby! or dive into the issue yourself here.
Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or are in the Circle City for a brief stint, Indy is chock full of resources for ANY mom in search of support. We’ve created a list of local mom groups worth their salt – the one qualification we had when pulling it together was that they have to be active groups, not just online forums. Having face-to-face interaction is a powerful support tool! So get over that hump of “will I fit in?” and take the plunge to say hello. Your momma tribe is out there.
Here’s a list of Indianapolis mom groups to check out:
City-wide
theCityMoms
As the largest social and support network for moms in the Indianapolis area, theCityMoms is just two years old but offers a calendar full of fun activities in every corner of the city including playdates, MNOs (moms night out), workshops, regional PLAYgroups, exclusive events and more. There are no limitations on the age of children or moms (stay-at-home, work full-time, babysitters, etc.) in this group – all are welcome. Member discounts at local businesses, a drama-free online forum and more round out the perks.
THANK YOU INDYSTYLE for hosting us to discuss momma tribes! Here’s a link to the segment.
MOPS, or “Mothers Of PreSchoolers”, is a national organization generally run through local churches but does not require their members to be parishioners. Groups typically meet 2-3 times/monthly throughout the school year, offering guest speakers and meals during meetings. Childcare is usually offered by the location as well. Many different MOPS groups dot the Indianapolis area. Membership is generally limited to moms with children preschool age or younger. Select ‘Find A Group’ at top and type in your zip code.
Another national organization with multiple local chapters, MOMS Club, promotes support for “the at-home mother of today.” Finding a chapter is easy – just fill out their online form and someone will be in contact to connect you.
Location-specific
Welcoming families with young children (newborn to kindergarten), the Zionsville Moms Group is a great way to find fun in the northwest corridor of the greater Indianapolis area.
ANOTHER OHBABY! FEATURE: Packing the perfect diaper bag
This group, found on Meetup.com, is small but mighty, and focuses on events in the Avon, Brownsburg and Plainfield areas. Children range primarily from ages 0-5 but moms with kids of all ages are welcome. With playgroups, MNOs and book club, this group is definitely “in the know” on all things westside.
Noblesville Stay at Home Moms Group
Don’t let the name dissuade you: If you live on the far northside of the Indy area and are a SAHM, working mom, part-time working mom, etc., this group based in Noblesville may be a good fit for you.
Other options
Led by local mom Kara Babcock {who is also featured in the special Baby Bumps feature of OhBaby! magazine!}, Baby Boot Camp meets on a regular basis at various spots around town for workouts that involve your baby, a stroller and other unique workout options.
As a Down Syndrome Achievement Center, Gigi’s Playhouse of Indianapolis offers a huge number of programs, including parent groups, open play, family nights and more. It’s a wonderful way to connect with other parents and build a supportive network.
Let’s not forget that dads need support too! This local group of dads is just in their start-up phase but as part of a larger, national organization, won’t take long to get moving. They meet for social time, family outings and more.
If none of these Indianapolis Mom groups strike your fancy, that’s okay too. Meetup.com is a great place to search for other groups in your area. Check out your local school PTO or consider starting a group of your own in your neighborhood! Whatever you decide, your tribe is out there.
