Mamas Circle Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mamas Circle?
Mamas Circles are communities of moms - and their little ones - who meet to share the intense and amazing experience of being a mom. These groups have been meeting for over 4 years and have served hundreds of mothers!
Who can join?
We welcome ALL moms and embrace diversity in background, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, etc.
Mamas Circle - Newborns is open to any mom with a newborn to pre-crawling baby and Motherhood Circles are open to moms with young children. The groups are all usually a good mix of new and veteran mamas - first-time, second-time or moms with many more children are welcome.
When should I join?
The short answer is join when you are ready! The youngest baby to join Mamas Circle - Newborns was just 5 days old but most babies are 1-4 months old. Since this group is run in 6-week sessions you should find one starting around the time you are looking for.
Moms in our Motherhood Circles have toddlers and young children and join (or re-join after being part of a newborn circle) for a sense of community, a place to explore their own way to mother, and to celebrate (and commiserate!) about being a parent.
How many other moms will be in my group? What will they be like?
In Mamas Circle - Newborns you'll meet between 6-10 other moms with 0-4 month old babies - many are on maternity leave but a few may have decided to take additional time off work or transition to working part time. There will be first time moms and moms with other children.
Motherhood Circles are intimate groups of 4-8 moms. These moms are settling into parenting but still have lots of questions, want to parent with consciousness and intention, and be part of a community. Most moms have children between 6 months and 6 years old.
Will I get anything out of this group if it is virtual?
Yes! You'll get to connect with other moms on a weekly basis from the comfort of your own home.
In our current groups some of the moms are meeting up for physically distant walks or picnics and everyone is in touch in-between sessions, others are simply keeping the connections virtual. All of our groups over the last 6 months are still actively engaged- which really is the whole idea! You'll have a wonderful group of moms with babies around the same age to check-in with about small questions and big changes that will happen over the months and years as you raise your little one.
What makes Mamas Circle different from other moms groups?
Mamas Circle is a community and its content is truly mom-inspired. By not having a strict curriculum we have ample time each week to talk about what you need most - whether its help with baby's sleep, the changing relationship with your spouse, how to find time for yourself, or something else entirely. Mamas Circle is the beginning of lasting friendships that continue well beyond the session with play dates, wine nights, and more.
Motherhood Circles are the only groups of their kind in the DC area! Moms and older babies are invited to share in a (currently virtual) space on a weekly or monthly basis, with the focus on building community. These groups allow moms to connect, explore our shifting identities, go deeper into how to navigate the changing relationships in our lives, and truly share with others who are in it with you.
Why should I join?
Having a new baby is a big adjustment. Whether it's your first or fifth child, each baby brings its own joys and challenges to you and your family and it's important to have a supportive community of moms going through it. Many moms look back as their babies grow and wonder how they would have done it without the wonderful women they meet with each week (and beyond).
The older baby groups allow moms to make or continue connections and provide a space to talk about the bigger themes of motherhood - identity, relationships, parenting styles, and more. Between meetings moms schedule play dates, brunches, nights out, and other ways to connect.
Can I drop-in to one week or start mid-session?
We don't have drop-ins - each week we get to know each other a little better and share the details of our lives and it's not conducive to have moms just come for a session or two. The positive part of this is when everyone commits to the group it creates a really wonderful and supportive place to return to,
Mamas Circle - Newborns the groups are closed after the second meeting of the session. Moms may be able to join the Motherhood Circles mid-session if space is available.
What if I am going to miss a week? Is there a way to make-up?
Due to the session/cohort model there are no make-ups and we are only able to prorate the group fee if you are joining late.
Where do we meet?
We are currently meeting on zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So you get to call-in from the comfort of your home!
How do I register?
Simply complete the registration form on the group page and submit payment via square. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, just get in touch and we will confirm your place in the group.
Can I give Mamas Circle as a gift?
Absolutely! It's a wonderful alternative to more baby "stuff." Simply visit the Gift Mamas Circle page and we'll provide you with a personalized gift certificate.
What if I changed my mind? Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, no refunds are available for Mamas Circles.
What if I have additional questions?
Contact us with any other questions you may have. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
Mamas Circles are communities of moms - and their little ones - who meet to share the intense and amazing experience of being a mom. These groups have been meeting for over 4 years and have served hundreds of mothers!
Who can join?
We welcome ALL moms and embrace diversity in background, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, etc.
Mamas Circle - Newborns is open to any mom with a newborn to pre-crawling baby and Motherhood Circles are open to moms with young children. The groups are all usually a good mix of new and veteran mamas - first-time, second-time or moms with many more children are welcome.
When should I join?
The short answer is join when you are ready! The youngest baby to join Mamas Circle - Newborns was just 5 days old but most babies are 1-4 months old. Since this group is run in 6-week sessions you should find one starting around the time you are looking for.
Moms in our Motherhood Circles have toddlers and young children and join (or re-join after being part of a newborn circle) for a sense of community, a place to explore their own way to mother, and to celebrate (and commiserate!) about being a parent.
How many other moms will be in my group? What will they be like?
In Mamas Circle - Newborns you'll meet between 6-10 other moms with 0-4 month old babies - many are on maternity leave but a few may have decided to take additional time off work or transition to working part time. There will be first time moms and moms with other children.
Motherhood Circles are intimate groups of 4-8 moms. These moms are settling into parenting but still have lots of questions, want to parent with consciousness and intention, and be part of a community. Most moms have children between 6 months and 6 years old.
Will I get anything out of this group if it is virtual?
Yes! You'll get to connect with other moms on a weekly basis from the comfort of your own home.
In our current groups some of the moms are meeting up for physically distant walks or picnics and everyone is in touch in-between sessions, others are simply keeping the connections virtual. All of our groups over the last 6 months are still actively engaged- which really is the whole idea! You'll have a wonderful group of moms with babies around the same age to check-in with about small questions and big changes that will happen over the months and years as you raise your little one.
What makes Mamas Circle different from other moms groups?
Mamas Circle is a community and its content is truly mom-inspired. By not having a strict curriculum we have ample time each week to talk about what you need most - whether its help with baby's sleep, the changing relationship with your spouse, how to find time for yourself, or something else entirely. Mamas Circle is the beginning of lasting friendships that continue well beyond the session with play dates, wine nights, and more.
Motherhood Circles are the only groups of their kind in the DC area! Moms and older babies are invited to share in a (currently virtual) space on a weekly or monthly basis, with the focus on building community. These groups allow moms to connect, explore our shifting identities, go deeper into how to navigate the changing relationships in our lives, and truly share with others who are in it with you.
Why should I join?
Having a new baby is a big adjustment. Whether it's your first or fifth child, each baby brings its own joys and challenges to you and your family and it's important to have a supportive community of moms going through it. Many moms look back as their babies grow and wonder how they would have done it without the wonderful women they meet with each week (and beyond).
The older baby groups allow moms to make or continue connections and provide a space to talk about the bigger themes of motherhood - identity, relationships, parenting styles, and more. Between meetings moms schedule play dates, brunches, nights out, and other ways to connect.
Can I drop-in to one week or start mid-session?
We don't have drop-ins - each week we get to know each other a little better and share the details of our lives and it's not conducive to have moms just come for a session or two. The positive part of this is when everyone commits to the group it creates a really wonderful and supportive place to return to,
Mamas Circle - Newborns the groups are closed after the second meeting of the session. Moms may be able to join the Motherhood Circles mid-session if space is available.
What if I am going to miss a week? Is there a way to make-up?
Due to the session/cohort model there are no make-ups and we are only able to prorate the group fee if you are joining late.
Where do we meet?
We are currently meeting on zoom due to the Covid-19 pandemic. So you get to call-in from the comfort of your home!
How do I register?
Simply complete the registration form on the group page and submit payment via square. If you prefer to pay by cash or check, just get in touch and we will confirm your place in the group.
Can I give Mamas Circle as a gift?
Absolutely! It's a wonderful alternative to more baby "stuff." Simply visit the Gift Mamas Circle page and we'll provide you with a personalized gift certificate.
What if I changed my mind? Can I get a refund?
Unfortunately, no refunds are available for Mamas Circles.
What if I have additional questions?
Contact us with any other questions you may have. We'll get back to you as soon as we can.
No topic is sacred within the confines of Mamas Circle. This is a circle of intimacy, support, humor and honesty. And I have relied on these other new mothers to help me see things in the right light, to find answers to things like an incessant diaper rash, and to keep moving forward through the haze of the first few months. I’m happy just to be in the same room with these women, their babies and our fellow mom and guide, Elizabeth.
-Sara S.
Washington, DC
It was a wonderful experience; thank you for facilitating Elizabeth! Your depth of knowledge and pragmatic philosophy were super helpful for me too. Even as a second time mom, I have some of the same challenges where I could use a new perspective, but also many new ones to navigate and sort out.
-Kim B.
Washington, DC
My daughter just turned one and I am still in touch with several moms and babies from Mamas Circle. I liked it so well that I did a second session of it, and it was a super helpful way to commiserate with and learn from other women, make friends, and become confident in my own parenting, such that I could give advice to other new moms. It was also an excellent way to get out of the house in the early weeks.
-Kristen L..
Washington, DC
I always wanted to join a group after I had baby so that I could meet other moms going through the same thing. My sister always told me to have a supportive network because you can't do it alone. I love Mamas Circle! It is just what I was looking for: a safe, kind, and supportive group to get me through the first couple of months of being a new mom. I look forward to seeing Elizabeth and all the moms and babies every week!
-Kate F.
Silver Spring, MD
I love Mamas Circle. It allowed me to stay in touch with my wonderful friends from prenatal yoga, meet their new babies, share birth stories, and see them become moms at the same time as me. I felt safe and comfortable sharing the joy and the craziness of being a mother. So many doubts, so many questions... Mamas Circle is the place to find answers and feel better about ourselves.
-Marion L.
Silver Spring, MD