In New to Aus? You’re not alone I talked about getting yourself out there and meeting “similarly-stressed” mums who have made the move to Aus. I thought it would be useful to elaborate on some of the ways I’ve done this.

Playgrounds

In the suburbs I’ve visited, you can’t move a few blocks without finding a playground – children, and mums, are spoilt for choice. Visiting a new playground every week isn’t only possible it’s quite likely.

Whilst playground hopping is great, it’s sensible to become a regular at the one closest to home. You’ll quickly become a familiar face and meet mums and children for your kids to play with.

For older children, their ‘playground’ may be the local skate park or football pitch…these are also great places for parents to make connections.

Playgroups

In Australia, a must for parents of pre-school children is attending a playgroup. It’s easy to become a member of your state Playgroup Association, for me that was Playgroup NSW.

Attending playgroup is a particularly good way to learn about the local community. Playgroup sessions are typically for children from 0 – 5, although larger playgroups have sessions broken down into age groups.

Typically your first two visits to a playgroup are free; then you need to become a member (this can be purchased online for $39 per year). Once you’re a member you pay $3 per session.

There may also be playgroups in your area that aren’t run by the Playgroup Associate. For example, there’s a particularly good one in the grounds of our local primary school that’s run by the TAFE (Technical and Further Education) and helps train childcare professionals.

The playgroups I’ve attended have a similar drill…arrive around 10am. Morning tea is served at 10:30am – all members take a piece of fruit that’s put into a fruit salad to share. Around 11:30am someone leads songs and tidy-up, and at 12:00pm it’s home-time.

If you live in a larger town or city, it’s likely you’ll have French, German, Spanish, Russian and other language playgroups too.

Mums Groups

If you’re having or have had a baby in Aus, you’ll become part of the mums group organised by your MCHN (Maternal Child Health Nurse). These information sessions will start once baby is a few weeks old. If the group clicks it’s normal for the mums to continue with weekly meet-ups when the MCHN’s involvement ends.

Your local pharmacy may also run mums groups and weighing sessions for baby.

Library and local events

As well as loaning books and toys, your nearest library is a great place to learn about local events and community groups – notice boards and children’s sections are usually full of leaflets and community magazines.

The library itself may have mother and baby sessions – the sessions in our area are called “Babies love books.”

Start your own group

Once you dig around you’ll probably find too much to do…but if you can’t find a group that suits your needs why not start one? The Playgroup Association can help with setting up a playgroup in your area.

There are a number of websites that list mums groups, and provide the opportunity to set up your own. Try www.kidspot.com.au (go to Community, Groups), www.meetup.com (search for “mums + your city \ suburb”) or www.mothersgroup.com.au.

Only in Australia…Surfing Mums

Finally, if you’ve moved to Aus for the surf, Surfing Mums coordinates a network of women who regularly meet to take turns in minding the children whilst the other mums hit the surf.

Surfing Mums don’t provide surf training but if surfing’s your thing it’s a great way to meet likeminded mums, and have some time in the water whilst your little ones are playing with their new friends.

Founded by two mums from Byron Bay, Surfing Mums isn’t ‘only in Australia’ – mums in the US, Ireland and New Zealand have got the bug too.

Related articles:

• New to Aus? You’re not alone…
• Australian life readiness test
• Making friends in Australia is easier than you think
• What did you give up to move to Australia?
• Australia is the second best place in the world to be a mum

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