I have joined parenting groups or mummys' group chats since 2013, after the birth of my first child. At first all was good, quite some tips and support from fellow mummies and members. Things took a plunge when my finances turned bad upon learning of my second pregnancy. I have been unemployed since first child's inability to adapt to his childcare environment - always falling ill - and it led to my resignation due to lack of family support for alternative caregiving and career suicide from taking too many leaves. Thereafter, I could no longer afford luxuries like traveling, even to Malaysia, or local playdates that require expensive entry to indoor playgrounds. While the other mummies were arranging high tea dates, I made known my financial status and didn't join. As a result, I no longer felt belonged and was often ignored or left out in group conversations. I felt like I was the only mummy asking for government subsidies and going for non private subsidised gynae. I am worried that without the usual support from fellow mummies, I may be depressed after childbirth. I had relied alot on the groups to get advice and solace for my first baby. Are there any parenting groups or useful hotlines which may not discriminate financially challenged mummies like me?

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Friends who understand your difficulty and situation will still stay as your friend and not asking you to go for expensive playdate nor high tea. Those who are doing that and keeping a distance from you are not real friends so do not even keep them in your heart. Find other groups of mummies for support, there are mummies who will not look at how much you have, as support in parenting each other mentally does not cost a cent. What we do is just lending a listening ear and give some advices or suggestions. Having said so, some times without those so call friends in our life actually do us more good than bad! Cheer up mummy!

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