The power of connection is alive and well in Wee Waa, where a giggling and gorgeous gaggle of delightful babies and their adoring mums meets every Tuesday.
However, this is not your average mother’s group. Buttercup Mums attracts attendees from Wee Waa and its surrounding farming communities, with some mums and bubs travelling more than 50 kilometres to access vital support and – most importantly – catch up with new and old friends as they navigate the highs and lows of motherhood together.
“I have been so happy with the response; I thought it would be amazing if eight or so girls signed up, and we ended up with 17 in the group – I couldn’t believe it,” said Child & Family Health Nurse, Jess Swansbra.
“It is a really beautiful thing to watch the friendships developing, and the feedback I have received is that the connection with other mums has been a really positive part.”
“It’s lovely for the babies to interact with each other too and great for their development.”
Wee Waa is a small but mighty agricultural town in the Namoi Valley, and its much-loved arts hub is the scene of a weekly baby boom. Mums and bubs are warmly welcomed through the centre’s bright yellow door to enjoy a cuppa, take part in workshops, and they can even try a Pilates class. All in the one location, a treasured opportunity in the bush where dreary, long-distance drives are the norm.
“We do an education session at the start, and it gives the group a good basis for conversation,” explained Jess.
“We have a range of ages, from about six weeks to 12 months, so there is a range of experiences within our group.”
“I think the mums with the younger babies particularly enjoy the education part of the workshop as well as observing and learning where the older babies are up to in relation to the different topics we explore.”
“This connection is so important; through connection with other mums, they are able to develop a broader support network in the community.”
This support network also includes dynamic collaboration between local professionals. Jess has joined forces with Art Centre Coordinator, Lisa Almagro, so the group has a convenient place to meet. She’s also teamed up with Pilates Instructor, Georgie Hamblin to offer the mums a slice of well-deserved self-care time.
“The mums enjoy having the opportunity to incorporate a little movement into their day, and Pilates is just a nice little thing to do for themselves. It is so important for mums to look after their physical and mental health. Simply because if mum is doing well and taking care of herself, it makes raising a baby much easier.”
The overwhelmingly positive response Jess has received underscores the incredible influence and difference groups like Buttercup Mums can make to the lives of those living in rural communities.
“I love the social side,” said Shannon Hamblin, who attends meetings with her son Alakai. “Being able to gather with other mothers to catch up and talk about the type of nappy you had to change at all hours of the morning or how long it’s been since you washed your hair.”
“If you are struggling with anything, from how your baby is eating, sleeping or talking, between us all and the amazing Jess, you generally walk out with your questions answered.”
“Yes, 100 per cent being isolated is always hard, but Buttercup Mums has allowed me to meet new people. It’s wonderful to walk down the street and see another mum who you already know and have a quick little chat or a simple ‘hi’. It can do so much for a mother stuck at home.”
There’s a well-worn saying that ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ but living rurally means it can sometimes be difficult to find that said village. If you ask Shannon and the other Buttercup Mums, Jess has helped to build a village.
A down-to-earth country girl, Jess grew up in the Northwest and lives on a farm just outside Wee Waa with her husband and three children. Her personal experience as a mum, local background, kind nature and expertise as a registered nurse make her the perfect person to educate and empower Wee Waa families.
“I think being a mum is definitely both meaningful and tough,” said Jess.
“I hope to provide mums with the tools they need to form a good grounding as they embark on their motherhood journeys, so they can mother with confidence in a way that is right for them and their baby. There definitely is no ‘one size fits all’.”
“And being from the country, I naturally want to help country families access the support they need and create an engaging service to help make mums, babies, and their family’s lives a bit easier so that they can live to their full potential and feel happy, healthy, and thrive.”
Find out more here: www.buttercupmums.com.au
Photo credit: Penny Vella Photography