International Women’s Day was on 8th March, and this month is women’s history month, so we are profiling inspiring local mothers working to change the world where they are. You can follow along with the series via the blog on our website.
Welcome to Esme from Real Mama Tribe – a not-for-profit community group run by mamas for mamas, for Dudley and Surrounding areas. They strive to combat social isolation in motherhood by offering peer support online and at our weekly groups.
you can find all their events by following their Eventbrite page: https://tr.ee/s_TLA_f1o2
or your can joined their closed Facebook community here: https://tr.ee/QI4VofM0NC
✨ Please tell us a little about the Real Mama Tribe and why you started it.
I created Real Mama Tribe from a place of loneliness when I had my first baby. We were just coming out of the pandemic and many of the existing groups and services weren’t operating. I did a weekly baby class, but felt I needed something that was for ME as a mama, not just focused on my little one. I didn’t have any friends that had babies, and I desperately craved ‘mom friends’ to grab a coffee or go on a play date with.
✨ What was the biggest challenge to making it successful?
There’s been lots of challenges along the way, since creating our group. The biggest challenge is allowing other people to help and support me. It doesn’t come naturally to me, but I’ve learnt that teamwork is how you grow- we now have an incredible team of 18 volunteer mamas!
✨ What tip do you have for mom’s coming out of the newborn stage?
Coming out of the newborn stage can feel exciting but also nerve-wracking. It can be such a great time to bond and grow with your baby- so getting out and about can be so fun for the both of you. Whether it’s a ten minute walk and something more adventurous, getting out of the house and into the fresh air works wonders.
✨ What is your favourite local service supporting mom’s other than one you are involved in?
I owe my life to the Perinatal Mental Health team, as i truly believe that without them my story would be very different. Becoming a mama, can affect your mental health in ways that you didn’t think was possible. The perinatal team scooped me up, and helped me understand my brain and rebuild me block by block. I will never ever shy away from sharing my mental health journey- as being REAL and showing the unfiltered side of motherhood is how we normalise getting support.
✨ Give us 1 non parent fact about yourself.
Pre-Tribe life, I was a GP Nurse- I loved my nursing career and hope to one day return.
✨ What 2 thing would you most want to be known for by your great granddaughters?
If there were two things I would you most want to be known for by your great granddaughters, is for being creative and for being kind.
[ID: a grid with a close up of Esme with the most FIRE eyeliner, her reading to her two littles outdoors and the real mama tribe logo]