Finding Your Deep Mom Friend Community This Fall (The Kind That Actually Gets It)

Have you ever bonded with another parent over the shared experience of finding Goldfish crackers in truly unexpected places? Or felt that instant connection when someone else admits their toddler's favorite meal is "whatever they find on the floor"? There's something magical about those moments when you realize you're not the only one winging it through parenthood.

If you've been craving those genuine "me too" moments with other parents who celebrate the small wins and laugh at the beautiful chaos, you're definitely not alone. Alex Stried, CEO and Co-Founder of Poppins, sat down with Victoria Williams, Founder of New Mama Goose, to talk about why mom friends are basically parenting superheroes, how to find your people without the awkward playground politics, and why authentic connections beat Instagram-perfect friendships every single time.

Alex: Victoria, thanks for taking the time to chat with us today. Can you talk about the connection between maternal isolation and mental health? What role does community play in a mother's overall wellbeing and ability to care for her kiddos?

Victoria: Loneliness and isolation are widespread among parents, and we know that isolation and a lack of social support are risk factors for postpartum depression, which affects as many as 1 in 7 new mothers. As a mother of a young child myself, I've felt the huge difference it makes to have meaningful friendships with other moms with young kids. Knowing that my struggles with sleepless nights and self-doubt were shared experiences was incredibly validating.

There is also a natural give and take of resources between new parents, as we all are figuring out how to care for a baby for the first time. Having friends with young kids provides many practical advantages. I've found in these relationships there's a lot of value in passing along contacts and new information, whether it's for finding a lactation consultant, recommending a daycare, or sharing a link for quality winter booties. Community reduces isolation, improves mental health, and provides practical benefits that help parents care for their children, especially in those early months and years.

Alex: How does having a supportive mom community impact parenting confidence and decision-making? What have you observed or experienced about how connected moms feel more equipped to handle challenges?

Victoria: Having a supportive community of other parents of young children is a game-changer for parenting confidence and decision-making. When you're in the thick of it—whether it's navigating sleep regressions, picky eating, or toddler tantrums—it's easy to feel like you're the only one struggling. When you can connect with someone else with young kids who is also just as unsure as you are, you realize you're not alone in your uncertainty. It's in these conversations that you can truly say, "Wow, this can be tough for me, and it can be tough for others, and we can still be great parents for our kids."

Alex: We often hear "it takes a village to raise a child." From your perspective, how do strong parent friendships actually benefit children's development and wellbeing?

Victoria: When parents, particularly mothers, are happier and more supported they are better equipped to nurture and engage with their children. This is a critical factor for a child's development and wellbeing.

Studies have found a link between a mother's depressive symptoms and her child's cognitive development, highlighting that when a mother is doing well, it creates a more stimulating and secure environment for the child. This is further supported by studies that show close social ties are one of the strongest predictors of happiness and life satisfaction. These friendships provide a vital emotional outlet and a buffer against stress, leading to a more present and patient parent.

Beyond emotional support, these friendships also offer concrete benefits for children by enriching their world. Sharing experiences with other families means you and your child are exposed to new places and things. Whether you're visiting a new friend's home, trying a different playground, or attending a new children's activity, it introduces your child to new people and settings. This is particularly enriching for only children, as it provides a natural way to practice social skills and adapt to different social dynamics, all of which are essential for their development.

Alex: What does genuine mom friendship actually look like in practice? What are you hoping connections through your platform will look like when parents meet up?

Victoria: When we talk about "genuine mom friendship," we are not talking about polite chitchat on the playground. It's not about having a large number of acquaintances you can wave to. Instead, it's about a focus on quality over quantity—the kind of deep, meaningful connections that provide true support. We want to help parents create friendships where they can reach out one-on-one, late at night, and feel comfortable confiding in someone about their struggles without fear of judgment.

Through New Mama Goose, we are hoping to facilitate the creation of these meaningful connections. Our goal is to create a setting where vulnerability is welcomed and reciprocal support is the norm, leading to real friendships that truly make a difference in your parenting journey.

Alex: Social media often makes parenting feel like a performance. How can authentic mom friendships help parents feel less judged and more supported in their parenting choices, especially around things like feeding, sleep, and milestones?

Victoria: Social media has created a culture where parenting can often feel like a performance. This constant comparison can lead to feelings of judgment and inadequacy, especially around deeply personal choices like feeding, sleep, and navigating developmental milestones.

Authentic mom friendships are a powerful antidote to this pressure. Unlike the polished content you see online, a genuine 1:1 friendship allows for vulnerability and honesty. While it takes time to develop this level of trust, it is necessary to build a truly strong bond. In my experience, a good friend is someone you can confide in about your struggles without worrying about being judged—they listen and ask if you want suggestions before jumping right in with advice. This is crucial in the early months when you're constantly navigating new experiences and challenges.

Alex: What advice would you give to a parent who feels isolated or struggles to connect with other parents? What's your vision for how mom friendships can evolve to better support families?

Victoria: Feeling isolated as a new parent is completely normal, but it's a challenge you can overcome. My advice is to put yourself in winning situations but also practice resilience when you run into roadblocks. Not every attempt to make a friend will work out, and that's okay. Don't take it personally; people have their own reasons for not connecting. The key is to keep putting yourself out there until you feel like you've built your strong village of a small handful of close friends.

I believe genuine friendship between parents helps both the parents and the children. When parents, and especially moms, meaningfully connect it helps reduce isolation, lower stress, and provide practical support for things big and small that come up in the normal course of parenthood.

Alex: Thank you so much, Victoria. This has been incredibly insightful for our Poppins families. I'm so glad New Mama Goose is one of our trusted partners.

Victoria Williams is the Founder of New Mama Goose, a platform dedicated to helping parents build meaningful, authentic friendships during the early years of parenthood. As a mother herself, Victoria understands firsthand the challenges of maternal isolation and is passionate about creating spaces where vulnerability is welcomed and genuine connections can flourish. Her approach focuses on quality over quantity, emphasizing the importance of deep, supportive relationships that make a real difference in the parenting journey.

New Mama Goose helps parents connect and build lasting friendships based on shared experiences and mutual support.