by R.L Hanlon

Created on: November 15, 2007

As a new mom you are given so much parenting advise, some wanted and appreciated and others that you may take with a grain of salt. As a new mom it is important to find people who you can look to for advice, not just for the day to day trials of being a mother, but for great resources regarding books and web sites, where to find bargain clothes and groups to join.

In the modern era we don't have the leisure of having our immediate family close at hand. Families live in different states, and at times in a different country. Gone are the days where children are brought up in homes with their grandparents, aunts and cousins surrounding them.

So we need to look for people in our peer group for help and assistance. The best people to locate are experienced mothers, with at least two or more children, who are also in tune with the modern methods of parenting.

LOOKING FOR A PEER GROUP

The first thing to do as a new mom is join your local mother's group. As a follow up after birth, the hospital should arrange for you and your new baby to attend information sessions at your local health clinic. If they do not provide this service contact your local council.
The women that you meet in your mother's group are all going through the same thing as you. They may have helpful hints and tips in regards to your baby's day to day care, and at the same time providing sympathetic and understanding ears.

At your local health clinic, look through the advertisements that are posted on the wall. You may locate groups of mother's that have created walking groups, play groups, information sessions, toy swap meetings. You will be able to meet more mother's and at the same time, increase your social network.

Research if there is a local paper distributed throughout your state regarding the health and well being of your child. Many groups and mother's advertise within these pages. You will find groups for music, gymbaroos, church meetings and baby paraphernalia for sale.

Look for children's reading groups at your local library. There are a lot of experienced mothers who attend the library. Pay attention to notices that may be posted here as well.

Assuming you are fairly sassy with a computer, or at least have one at your disposal, browse parenting groups on the web. You could begin by searching through MSN groups, or one that I highly recommend is Mommy.com, advise for moms by moms.

GENERAL PARENTING ADVICE

We need to be careful who we take parenting advise from. Although general parenting methods

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