As adults, we take on many roles in life. For Alicia Lammrish, before becoming a member of the East Carmel Meet a Mom Association (MAMAs), she realized she needed some support for her role as a mom.
When Lammrish moved to Carmel, her first child was not even a year old. “I didn’t really know anybody around here. l was lonely and needed interaction because all I did was live and breathe my child,” she says.
Despite her social anxiety, after seeing a post on social media about a MAMAs meetup, she showed up. “Instantly I felt like I found people who actually understood what I was going through. I joined on the spot,” Lammrish says. She continues to attend with her four children.
Built by Moms, for Moms
Both East Carmel and West Carmel Westfield (WCW) MAMAs broke with the national MAMAs group in 2020 with the hope that they could include a broader-range of moms. They’ve succeeded, with over 160 women involved in the local chapters.
“This group is built by moms, for moms,” says Stephanie Rose, president of WCW MAMAs. “We want to provide opportunities for moms to build meaningful relationships with other moms and for our kiddos to build friendships, too!”
Members get together to do a wide-range of activities, with options to join in as little or as often as they want. “We really try to have events scattered throughout the month that can cater to everyone’s different schedules,” says Gina Tannehill, president of East Carmel MAMAs.
Whether it’s a mom’s night out, stroller walk, lunch, playdate at the park, book club, or even a visit to the zoo, there are day and evening options for participation. The end of the year is a particularly fun time to join, with holiday meetups scheduled into the new year.
Membership
Tannehill said the heart of these two groups is to focus on support and community for their members. “We have a diverse group of moms,” she says. “We don’t want a mom out there wondering whether they’ll be accepted. We welcome all of our members with open arms.”
Membership in MAMAs is simple. If you’re a mom, then you’re eligible to join either group, with a $30 fee due for a full year of membership.
If you live east of US 31, in parts of East Westfield, or Noblesville, then you can join by contacting the East Carmel MAMAs group at [email protected] or on Facebook.
If you’re in Westfield or on the western side of Meridian Street in Carmel, then contact WCW MAMAs at wcwmamas.org to become a part of their club.
Membership in MAMAs has truly changed Lammrish’s life, as she attends meetups with moms from her local chapter a few times a week. “It’s hard to be in a sea, alone, and be a mom,” she says. “You need a community of people, just to have that group of women to say, ‘We’re here and you don’t have to do it on your own.’”
