Mommin’ ain’t easy.
I say it often to anyone who will listen. It’s my hardest job, it’s beyond exhausting, and sometimes, it’s very lonely. When my kids were younger, I was lucky to have help. But where do you turn when your family is in another state or your friends are in a different stage of life without kids? How do you find a village when yours doesn’t feel like it exists?
Well, that’s easy! Hey, Google, find:
“Moms group near me”
“Local mom groups”
“Motherhood support groups”
But is it really that easy? How do you know what you’re getting into? How do you know you’ve found your people?
I’ve never met a mom in a social media group support group who doesn’t have a horror story.
Stories of being embarrassed for asking a question we’ve probably all had. Stories of feeling judged for sharing an opinion they didn’t know was controversial. Stories of simply wanting someone to “get it,” only to feel even more alone than ever.
And I can say with certainty that all of that is true because I’ve experienced it myself. I’ve seen, firsthand, some of the worst parts of what an internet community has to offer. But that’s not breaking news; I think we all know the internet can be tough!
Here’s what might be breaking news, though: It can be done differently. And I can say that with certainty, too, because we’re doing it.
After a particularly frustrating experience in a local moms' group, I decided enough was enough. Life was too short (and I was too old, let’s be real!) to exist in spaces that didn’t feed my soul. I knew there had to be a way to bring real life—where kindness, goodness, and joy exist daily—into the social media moms' support group space.
And that’s what we did with Sixx Cool Moms of Delaware.
At its core, any group of people—whether it’s at work, among friends, or in a social media moms group—is about connection. It’s about building relationships. It’s about making people feel valued and part of a community.
What started as a group of 20 people who graciously gave me a chance to do things differently has blossomed into a group of almost 2,000 women, in various stages of life, who are the village. And while I might be the one who runs it, nobody benefits more from watching them be who they are than me.
These women rip apart the stereotype of a social media group. They listen without judgment. They answer the hard questions with grace and support. They offer solutions. They come together to raise money for charities that support local moms. They create an environment where questions can be asked without fear.
In between the day-to-day fun of pop culture discussions and wrinkle cream recommendations, I’ve seen questions like:
“How do I handle this grief?”
“What’s the best way to deal with a toxic family member?”
“I need help with my child who is struggling with grades.”
And every single one of those questions has received support, guidance, and understanding.
And they don’t just talk the talk—they walk the walk. When we meet in person at our monthly gatherings, they’re the same women. When someone steps outside their comfort zone to attend an event alone, they’re the first to encourage and embrace them (both literally and figuratively) when they walk through the door.
This group of strong, confident, incredible women has shown up for one another in so many ways in the short year we’ve been together. And I’m better because of it. I’m better because I know them and get to see how they treat each other daily. I’m better for being in the presence of women who understand that when we elevate one another, we all rise together. And I’m better because they remind me that life is not a competition but a journey that’s so much better when we walk it hand in hand.
But I know what you’re thinking: “Megan, it’s just a social media moms group!”
And maybe that’s how it started. But now? These women—they’re my friends.
As I look toward the new year—and our next chapter—I can’t wait to see where we go from here. Here’s to more fun, more support, and more joy, together.
Hey, Google:“Tell the world how grateful I am for these women!”
Want to find your mom tribe? Visit the Sixx Cool Moms chapter directory to find a community near you!
Author: Megan O’Donnell Clements is the Market Director for Sixx Cool Moms of Delaware, a blogger, social media manager, survivor, mom and margarita lover. She lives in Wilmington with her husband Ron, twin girls, Rylee and Carmela, and their dog, Maxwell. You can read more from Megan on her blog, “The Loved Life.”
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