If there is not a babywearing group already running in your area, you might want to consider setting up your own – it’s easier than you might think, especially with our handy downloadable sling meet flyers!
Where to start
Firstly you need to consider what you would like your group to include – most groups take on a coffee morning format, where everyone brings their slings and there is general chat, and an opportunity to learn about and try out each other’s slings, wraps, soft carriers, and all manner of other babywearing paraphernalia. There are about as many techniques for babywearing as there are babywearing parents, and everyone with an interest in babywearing can benefit from shared experiences.
Where and when to hold it
A babywearing group can be held almost anywhere, and many groups meet in local child friendly cafés, play centres or at each other’s houses. It is useful if there is some way of entertaining older children too. In the summer, outdoor meetings can be great – take a picnic to the park for an alfresco babywearing session!
After working out where you will meet, you will need to decide when and how often to meet – do you intend it to be a regular group, or more adhoc, with each meeting to be arranged individually? Depending on the expected turnout, arranging each meeting separately, and alternating the venue between people’s houses could be a better option for groups with a few members, but if you end up with larger numbers a regular time and place would be easier to arrange.
How to let people know
You can speak to health visitors who will usually be happy to pass on details of meetings, and put up leaflets in local libraries and children’s centres to attract people to come and join in. The chances are if you are thinking about a group, someone else is too, so make sure you help them find out about it.
It could be a good idea to set up a Facebook group to keep everyone informed of any updates, and enable you to estimate how many people will be attending each meeting. If you wish, you could add your group to websites such as Netmums to inform even more mums (and dads!) of the details.
Above all, enjoy the group and take the opportunity to get to know some fellow mums, and make some great friends in the process!
Safety First
Take care when meeting new people, and giving out personal information – it is wise to meet in a public place when meeting for the first time. Your own safety is paramount, and you should always make sure you tell people where you are going, and try to take a mobile or arrange a time to be back.
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