FAQ

More about who we are & what we do. If you’d like to join or group or are interested in getting involved to help out – please read this first.

Q. Does it cost anything to join the group?
A. No, membership to our group is free. Our moms will often contribute something though, whether it’s a plate of cookies for a meeting or some secondhand baby clothes they’re willing to share with other moms.

Q. How old do you have to be to join?
A: Anyone who considers themselves a “young mom” may join. Nobody will be turned away, if they feel supported and enjoy their time with us, they are welcome to stay. Our current moms range in age from 17 to mid-20′s. We’d like to encourage the youngest teen moms to join too, as they are often the most vulnerable.

Q: Is the group a formal “parenting class?”
A: We are not a parenting skills class and don’t “teach” you how to raise your child. However, we are moms ourselves and do have experience with many parenting issues so are always available to offer advice and ideas. Other moms in the group may also have suggestions to help with any parenting issue you are having. We also sometimes have guest speakers on a variety of parenting related topics which will be interesting and helpful to all parents. We also do not offer formal counselling – we are a group of concerned and amateur friends who are willing to listen and offer support. We can help you access formal counselling services if that’s what you need.

Q: Is Young Mom Support a religious organisation?
A:We are not connected to any religious organisation and moms from all faiths are welcome. We find that many moms have strong religious beliefs which can help them through difficult times, and this will be encouraged. Our members are of course required to be tolerant and supportive of each other’s differences.

Q: Is it only for single mothers?
A: No – any young mom regardless of her relationship status is welcome. Some of our moms are single, some are involved with their baby’s father, some are married.

Q: I’m pregnant and have not yet decided what to do. Can I join the group?
A: Pregnant teens are also welcome, even if they have not yet decided whether to keep the baby or not. This is entirely a personal choice. For some, being around other moms who are parenting successfully despite challenges might be helpful and encouraging. For other moms, it might be more difficult, especially if they are considering adoption. If you’d like to join but aren’t yet sure, please give us a call to chat.

Q: Are you a “Pro-Life” organisation?
A: Young Mom Support is not a “pro-life” organisation and make no judgments regarding abortion. We believe that abortion is an entirely personal, often difficult and traumatic choice which many women are faced with and they all have the right to choose termination if it’s the right thing for them. We are just here to support our moms and if necessary will help them access the termination services they require. We realise that our members have their own personal beliefs but tolerance and a non-judgmental attitude is required in our group; likewise anybody who wishes to be involved and help out.

Q: Can you help me financially?
A: We are not able to provide financial support to mothers. However, we can help you with the information you need to access child support grants and maintenance. We can also chat with you to find out what your individual needs are, what your strengths are, what you  aspire to become, and try and find study or work opportunities which might help. Ultimately, it is your responsibility to make it happen – we can only offer ideas and support. We do distribute donated 2nd hand baby clothes at our meetings, and all moms are encouraged to donate their own children’s old clothes which they have outgrown.

Q: What happens at the meetings?
A: Sometimes an activity is planned such as a guest speaker. Otherwise, I might start a discussion on a particular issue and we’ll see where the conversation takes us as a group, or the moms might just sit and chat together. The bigger children will play together, we enjoy some cupcakes & refreshments, share out the collected clothes and generally socialise. I might have some one-on-one time chatting with a mom who has an issue she’d like to discuss privately. It is a very relaxed atmosphere and nobody is required to “speak in public” if they’re shy.

Q: What about dads?
A: Dads are of course also welcome to join us. Our only real, non-negotiable requirement for membership is that a parent (mother or father) be a committed parent who takes their responsibilities seriously and wishes to do the best they can for their child. It would be great to welcome young teen couples who are parenting together, or single fathers too, whether or not their children are living with them.

Q: Who are the moms who join? Where do they come from? Will I fit in?
A: Our moms come from hugely diverse socio-economic, cultural, religious, family & educational backgrounds. We are all different and are all facing different issues. Despite our differences, we have all become friends, even family. It is a great learning experience to make friends with people from all walks of life. I’ve seen barriers of all kinds being broken down as moms start off shy and awkward and end up relating simply as mothers. No matter who you are or where you come from, there is a place for you with us.

Q: I want to get involved and help out. What do I need to know?
A. See our Support Us page for ideas on how you can help. It is very important to us that anybody who wishes to involved shares our mission and values. We need people who are / or have the following:

• Respect for the young mother for the job she is doing
• A non-judgmental attitude towards the young mother’s stories and history
• Tolerance and open-mindedness towards cultural or religious differences
• A true belief that motherhood is a vital calling, and that to do it well is to change the world
• An encouraging and supportive attitude – to help focus the mother’s attention on what she has ALREADY accomplished i.e. raising a child – and what she is still capable of accomplishing
• A person who watches the language and tone they take when speaking to or about the mothers – hurtful or unthinking words can make the difference between a mom who feels safe with us and one doesn’t come back to us.
• Enjoyment of children, good tolerance for noise & cookie crumbs!