Fayette-Mom: Group helps moms find each other in Haymount

So it was more than intimidating to find myself suddenly spending my days in Fayetteville, not knowing anyone, and oh, by the way, I had to figure out how to take care of a newborn and learn this new job called mother.

It wasn’t pretty.

Now, it seems, such problems are things of the past. Social media opens doors and breaks down insecurities, providing moms many opportunities to find a community with which to bond.

Case in point: The Mommy & Me Club founded by the group Happenin’ in Haymount. With just two clicks on Facebook, a new person living in the Haymount area of Fayetteville can find a group of moms meeting for activities virtually every day of the week.

A look at their calendar for the month of August is astounding:  Play dates at the park, meet-ups at the bounce house place, Mommy & Me Potluck Brunches at various members’ homes. I’d be insanely jealous if I wasn’t so darned impressed.

The Mommy & Me Club started about two years ago, and co-chair Amelie Reindle says the benefits are for both parent and child.

“We want to give moms a chance to get out of the house, to meet friends, and we want to provide a way for kids to play with new friends on a regular basis.”

There are no membership dues, and Reindle is quick to point out that folks do not have to live in Haymount to participate.

“We see new people from different areas all the time, and we encourage anyone and everyone to join us," she said.

And don’t think it’s just for moms. Reindle’s husband also participates in group get-togethers, and she says dads are always welcome.

Goodness knows parenting can be lonely at times, and we could all use a friend to laugh with or a shoulder to cry on, especially in a city like Fayetteville, where newcomers can sometimes feel like outsiders (and yes, I could write a whole book on that subject. Ahem). I love the fact that groups like these exist.