Why do some mums love mum groups… and others quietly cringe | The Pooch Podcast | Episode 63

Why do some mums love mothers groups while others feel uncomfortable or disconnected? In this episode, I dive into a conversation many women think about but rarely say out loud. I believe deeply in the importance of the village in motherhood and postpartum support, yet I have often felt out of place in traditional mothers groups and mums and bubs workout classes. If you have ever felt lonely in a room full of mums, struggled with identity loss after having a baby, or wondered why structured mum groups do not feel like true community, this episode will resonate. This is not about criticising mothers groups. For many women, they are life changing and form deep, lasting friendships. This is about acknowledging that motherhood support is not one size fits all. If you are navigating postpartum mental health, searching for your village, or trying to reconnect with yourself beyond being just mum, this conversation offers reassurance and perspective. Subscribe for honest discussions about motherhood, postpartum recovery, mum life in Australia, identity after baby, and building meaningful community as a modern mum. #motherhood #postpartum #mothersgroup #mumlifeaustralia #postpartumidentity #village #newmum #motherhoodsupport #identityloss #modernmotherhood 00:00 INTRO 01:10 My first mothers group experience 02:40 The subtle competitiveness in mothers groups 04:00 The moment I walked out 05:10 When “mum” becomes your only identity 06:40 Why mothers groups can feel intimidating 08:10 Craving real connection vs performative community 09:30 Why mothers groups can feel like a “forced village” 11:10 Leaving feeling more isolated than before 13:00 What a real village actually looks like 16:00 Forced proximity disguised as intimacy 19:00 When motherhood becomes your whole identity 23:20 Losing my sense of self after becoming a mum 33:00 What my real village actually looked like 40:00 What mothers groups are really meant to be 42:20 Final thoughts: village vs mothers groups