5 Easy and Inexpensive Ways to Support Other Moms

Moms need each other. If you are a mom who is currently feeling exhausted or overwhelmed, then ignore this post and come back to it a different day.

But if you are a mom who feels that life is pretty manageable in the moment, here are some ways to help other moms who are struggling. These actions may seem small but they can mean so much. They not only help another mom, but also communicate to her that she is not alone and that others are there for her.

1. Make a double batch of whatever you are cooking. There are so many recipes that are so easy and inexpensive to double, especially in the soup or stew category. Just make a double batch and give away half to a mom friend for her family. Sometimes it’s as easy as pouring in the whole box of pasta instead of half. If you like to do this, find a local dollar store and stock up on inexpensive tupperware for gifting meals. You can do this anytime a mom friend seems tired or overwhelmed. Better yet, just get in the habit of always doing this every time you make certain recipes that are easy to double. You will be giving a parent a much needed break from cooking and dishes without putting in a whole lot of extra effort. If you know a single mom or dad, try to do this for them on a regular basis.
2. Send a little message of encouragement. This has meant so much to me in isolating days as a mom, especially when we are stuck inside due to illness or bad weather. Send a text to another mom asking how they’re feeling or just send them a funny joke or story from your day. I love the Marco Polo app for sending other moms a short video message. It doesn’t take long to send a text or short video, and it really can brighten up someone’s day.
3. Give away your stuff. When we are clearing out unwanted or no-longer-needed pregnancy or baby items, it is tempting to donate them all in order to get rid of them quickly. Donating to good organizations is great! But if you can find the time, reach out to moms you know to see if they would want it. If you belong to a local buy/sell group on Facebook, you can post a photo of the item and just say something like, “Anyone need some extra hand-me-downs for a 6-month-old girl?” Then, take the time to meet them somewhere or drop them off on the person’s porch. This can really help another mom and save them time, energy, and money.
4. Organize a group to help. When a mom is going through something especially tough, see if you can organize a whole team of moms to help. If a mom you know just had a new baby or is going through any big challenge, you can organize meal trains through websites like mealtrain.com. If you know a mom whose whole family is sick at once, see if you can get a group of moms to drop off gifts on her porch- cleaning supplies, Pedialyte, tissues, groceries, etc. This will mean so much to a struggling mom.
5. Give each other a break. If you know a mom who seems exhausted and you currently feel well, offer to take their child with yours to the library for a few hours. When you and another mom both need a break, you can also take turns or trade free childcare. Swap childcare for date nights. If you and another mom are at home with kids one day, go to a library or restaurant that has an indoor playground. One of you can spend an hour reading or relaxing while the other supervises the kids, and then you can trade off for the second hour.

Basically, I think where you have an excess of anything, you should give it away. If you have extra energy and know a super sleep-deprived mom, offer to come over with your child and let her take a nap. If you are surrounded by family support and know a mom with no relatives nearby, offer to take her child for a few hours one day. If you are financially stable but know a mom who struggles, include a gift card for a grocery store or restaurant in your holiday or birthday card. Let’s all help each other out.

Do you have other ideas? Add them in the comments!

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