Photo: Supplied.
FROM SOCIAL MUMS CLUB
As Mother’s Day approaches, many of us will be thinking about the usual gestures – flowers, breakfast in bed, maybe a handmade card from the kids. But behind the celebrations lies a much deeper truth: many mums crave something far less tangible and more essential – human connection.
Kirsty Foster, founder of Social Mums Club, believes this time of year is the perfect reminder to put connection back on the table. “We’re wired to connect,” she says. “Just like we need food and water, we need to feel a sense of belonging.”
It’s a simple truth backed by science. In fact, the long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development found that close relationships – not money or fame – are the biggest predictor of long-term happiness and health. And yet, despite being more digitally ‘connected’ than ever, many mums report feeling lonelier than ever before.
Foster says this growing loneliness, particularly among women and mothers, is a quiet crisis. “We’re juggling work, home, and family, often in isolation,” she explains. “Working from home, busy schedules and modern life have all chipped away at the natural community interactions we used to rely on.”
The result? More stress, less sleep, and a sense of disconnection that affects both mental and physical health. Research shows that in-person connection reduces anxiety, improves sleep, lowers blood pressure, and even supports heart health.
That’s where Social Mums Club comes in. Started in Wynnum in 2020, the club has grown into a vibrant community connecting over 21,000 mums across Brisbane through local meetups and events. From coffee catch-ups, social dinners and walking and running groups, the club helps women rebuild the social support that modern life often takes away.
This May, in celebration of Mother’s Day, the club is going even further by hosting an extra 10 events as part of their Mother’s Day May initiative.
“We know mums are built to put everyone else first,” says Foster. “But this month, we want to encourage them to prioritise their wellbeing too – starting with connection.”
So maybe this year, the most meaningful Mother’s Day gift isn’t a bouquet of flowers – it’s something much simpler: shared time, a friendly chat, a walk with a neighbour. The kind of connection that fills the heart, not just the calendar. Find out more at socialmumsclub.com.
