Mums' Group

Are you a new or expectant mum?

 

Firstly, CONGRATULATIONS! What a wild and wonderful ride you have ahead of you.

 

Secondly, welcome to Mums' Group, a series of round table conversations navigating the joyful complexities of motherhood, all from a Christian worldview.

 

Subscribe now to get the show into your feed, starting April 8, or join us on Facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Have a bit of a love-hate relationship with all that baby advice you keep getting? Us too!

 

The best advice can give us the confidence to try something new that works wonders for us and our babies. The worst advice can leave us riddled with guilt and second-guessing our God-given instinct.

 

In this episode we share some of the advice that left us tearing our hair out, found us drying our tears and helped us find our feet in this strange land they call motherhood.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Beth Brown.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Where did all my time go?! Having a baby can initially be all-consuming and we might find ourselves getting a bit lost somewhere between nap-time and our seventeenth nappy change of the day.

 

Every mother’s experience is different but often our career, our hobbies, and our very sense of self can all get a bit shaken up when we become mums and throw ourselves into loving on our little human beings who need us to survive.

 

Today we are talking about coping in the baby bubble. What might it look like to rediscover our sense of self and find joy in who we are becoming in a season of life entirely unlike any we have experienced before?

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Beth Brown.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

The miracle of birth is exactly that — a miracle! And a miracle all the more celebrated and cherished when it is long-awaited and hoped for. Join us as our guest, Beth Brown, shares openly and honestly about the challenging road she faced on the way to motherhood.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Let's talk about about nourishing our tiny tots! By breast or by bottle, feeding our babies can be one of the most difficult responsibilities we face as new mums — both physically and emotionally. Particularly when you throw in any extra hurdles like low milk supply, colic and reflux, or allergies and intolerances.

 

Breastfeeding is one of those things that, like childbirth, you can’t quite imagine until you find yourself actually doing it. And though it can be portrayed as something so natural and straightforward, it often takes a lot of time and a whole lot of practice (often in the wee hours of the morning) for you and baby to get into the swing of things.

 

And to all those bottle-feeding mums up late prepping formula dispensers so you're ready at all times, we tip our hats to you — we've been you, we see you, we feel you.

 

No matter your feeding journey, we hope this episode helps find the grace to let go of any mum-guilt and know your baby loves you!

 

If you need help with any feeding issues, you can contact your community health nurse, GP, or the Australian Breastfeeding Association on 1800 686 268.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Samantha Thomas & Nina Corbett.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Ten tips to make your baby sleep through the night from day one!

 

Ok...that's a lie.

 

We'll admit, it's the blind leading the blind a bit on this one. But we hope that sharing our very different approaches to helping our babies sleep will encourage you to trust your own God-given instinct. Do what you need to do to safely get you and your baby the best rest — routine or no routine; textbook or no textbook!

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Beth Brown.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

For many of us, our motherhood journey is one that is full of both joy and heartache.

 

Miscarriage is sadly all too common. If you haven’t experienced one yourself, there’s a strong chance that a close friend or family member has.

 

Everyone will process the grief of miscarriage differently.

 

In today’s episode we unpack one mother’s experience of miscarriage loss and what it is like to grieve when you trust that God is both good and in complete control of all things.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Nicola Hay.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

One of the most unexpected gifts of motherhood is all the new mum friends you'll gain.

 

It’s an amazing feeling when you realise there are so many people supporting you.

 

But sometimes it's hard to navigate friendships with people in different seasons of life. And sometimes it's hard to have energy for anyone but your immediate family.

 

In this conversation, we discuss how friendships change and evolve once you're a mum, and the opportunity to share your faith with new friends.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Beth Brown.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Returning to paid work, brings a mix of emotions. There’s the excitement of working and spending time with adults again. But there can also be anxiety about your child’s care, or even feelings of guilt.

 

In this episode, three mum's share their experience of that transition period, and some practical tips that helped their families adjust. But spoiler alert- it takes time.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Tahnee Appel.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Being a parent teaches us in the clearest terms how God, our Father in Heaven, relates to us — His love, His frustrations, His compassion for us. The way we feel about our kids is about as close as we can get to grasping how God feels about us, His children.

 

In this episode, three mums share how their motherhood journeys have defined their faith and how their faith has refined their experience of motherhood.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Tahnee Appel.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Being a mum is hard, but being the mum of a sick little one is heart-wrenching.

 

In today’s episode, we unpack one mother’s experience in NICU and helpfully gain some insights into how we can support families we know who might find themselves in similar circumstances.

 

Here's to the special NICU mamas (and papas!) who fight for their babies and never give up! You are strong, remarkable and resilient.

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Nicola Hay.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Every parent wants to be confident that their child is hitting the milestones that they should be. But the reality is that oftentimes, the 'timeline' that our kids are supposed to follow for when they 'should be' rolling over, babbling, transitioning to solid food, walking, etc. etc. can cause a lot of middle-of-the-night, anxiety-induced google searching.

In this episode we discuss the different experiences we can have as mothers of reconciling the timeline our kids actually follow with what the text books say.

Of course, as always, if you have any concerns about your child's health and development, please seek the advice of a medical professional.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Beth Brown & Kirsty Lawrenson.

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Exploring God's creation is a joy and where the best memories can be made. But travelling with newborns or toddlers overseas can cause a lot of anxiety.

Although it's not a particularly relevant topic right now, in light of COVID-19, one day, life as we knew it will resume in some way, and you may embark on a big adventure.

In this episode, two avid mum-travellers share their experiences of travelling with their little ones and some tips and tricks for a smooth trip.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Lyn Saunders & Rachel Young.

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

A second baby brings all sorts of joys and challenges to a family. 

Everyone talks about how difficult it is for your firstborn to suddenly have to share your attention. But it's also an adjustment for you. With less downtime, you have to learn how to divide your mental and physical energy between each child, not to mention your partner. 

Two mums share their experience of this adjustment period- their tips for a smooth transition and the challenges that you may encounter. 

Despite any difficulties you might experience during those first few months, get ready for those precious moments when you watch them play together.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Tahnee Appel & Kirsty Lawrenson.

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Welcome to Season 2 of our audible mother’s group for new and expectant mums!

We're excited about the conversations to come- toddler years and more from a Christian worldview.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. 

If you have any feedback or episode suggestions- send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Join the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Raising the next generation is one of the most rewarding endeavours we can pursue in our lifetime.

But the work we pour into parenting and all that it takes to make a home often isn't as obvious or measurable as in our modern workplaces.

In this episode, we unpack one mother’s experience of being a full-time stay-at-home mum and all the joys and challenges that come with choosing to pursue motherhood as your sole vocation for a season.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Katherine Francis.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Are you feeling disconnected at church? Have you stopped serving in the way you’re used to, or started missing Sunday worship all together?

From the sleep deprivation that comes with a newborn to the tantrums and separation anxiety with toddlers to juggling service times and naps, constant interrupted conversations and the challenges of getting to a Bible study regularly enough to feel connected.

At times it can all feel too hard. In this episode, everyday mums share their experience of navigating motherhood and church life – finding a sense of belonging, purpose, and new joys in this season of Sundays – with little ones in tow.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Katherine Francis and Kirsty Lawrenson.

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

In keeping with the season’s focus on the toddler years, in this episode, we turn our attention to the ‘P’ word – play!

A big part of a toddler’s day, play allows them to be creative, learn to problem solve, share, and so much more.

For parents, playing with our little ones offers us great opportunities for bonding and quality time. Though actually engaging in play can feel like anything from genuinely fun one minute to frustratingly repetitive and exhausting the next.

Two mums share their experience of toddler playtime – the joys, the mess, the hacks, the guilt, and their insights into how to make the most of play for the whole family.

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Tahnee Appel & Kirsty Lawrenson.

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

From the day our babies are born, all that their bottoms have really known is a snug nappy.

 

So, how do you know when your little one is ready to say good-bye to nappies and toilet-train? And how do you help them learn what to do with their wees and poos?

 

In this episode, one mum shares her experience of toilet-training her two kids with very different personalities and how understanding who they are helped to shape her approach. 

 

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Bea Hii.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

 

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

 

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com

Every birth is wild. As long as everyone makes it out okay, we say, that’s all that matters. And of course, in the big picture, there’s truth to that. 

And yet, research tells us, birth experiences matter a great deal when it comes to how things unfold in those initial months and can be extremely triggering when a mother considers having future children.

Obviously, there's the physical damage, but the emotions that come with a traumatic birth can be just as, if not more, challenging to overcome. 

In this episode, one mother shares her story of a traumatic pregnancy, birth and post-labour that she experienced with her second child, and the steps she's taking to process it all. 

Trigger Warning: This episode may be triggering for anyone who has experienced a miscarriage or traumatic birth. 

Visit the Gidget Foundation for resources and support if you are experiencing perinatal anxiety or depression including intrusive thoughts and feelings associated with a traumatic pregnancy, birth or post-natal period: gidgetfoundation.org.au

Hosted and Produced by Ally Barnes. Joined by Kirsty Lawrenson.

 

Subscribe to Mums' Group on Apple podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Continue the conversation on facebook - just search "mums group pod".

Or send an email to mumsgrouppod@gmail.com