Mamas Circles
Support in the early weeks and months with a newborn is essential. Mamas Circles are open, supportive communities where we talk about changing identities, relationships, and how to get through the day (and night) with little ones. A place to be in community with other women and know you're not in this alone.
After making it through pregnancy in a pandemic and considering our return to the world - with a new baby! - we need each other now more than ever. To continue community building as we enter this new stage, we will be hosting in-person Mamas Circles. In-person attendees to be fully vaccinated, there will also be an option to attend via zoom.
We'll meet weekly to help get your questions answered, provide space to offer tips to others, and create lasting friendships for you and your little one. The connection continues on our online community throughout the week.
Having your 2nd, 3rd (or more!) baby? You're welcome to join this circle or a Mamas Circle for Newly 2nd & 3rd Time Moms.
After making it through pregnancy in a pandemic and considering our return to the world - with a new baby! - we need each other now more than ever. To continue community building as we enter this new stage, we will be hosting in-person Mamas Circles. In-person attendees to be fully vaccinated, there will also be an option to attend via zoom.
We'll meet weekly to help get your questions answered, provide space to offer tips to others, and create lasting friendships for you and your little one. The connection continues on our online community throughout the week.
Having your 2nd, 3rd (or more!) baby? You're welcome to join this circle or a Mamas Circle for Newly 2nd & 3rd Time Moms.
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My daughter just turned one and I am still in touch with several moms and babies from Mamas Circle. It was a super helpful way to commiserate with and learn from other women, make friends, and become confident in my own parenting, such that I could give advice to other new moms. |
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I felt safe and comfortable sharing the joy and the craziness of being a mother. So many doubts, so many questions... Mamas Circle is the place to find answers and feel better about ourselves. |
Upcoming Mamas Circles:
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February - March Circle
Dates: February 23 - March 30 Time: Thursdays 11:30am-1:00pm Facilitator: Elizabeth Hubley April - May Circle Dates: April 13 - May 18 Time: Thursdays 11:30am-1:00pm Facilitator: Elizabeth Hubley May - June Circle Dates: May 24 - June 28 Time: Wednesdays 10:00-11:30am Facilitator: Elizabeth Hubley |
Cost: We offer a sliding scale where you can choose the registration rate that best aligns with your circumstances:
Standard Rate — $225 — Covers our expenses and keeps the collective on a sustainable path
Reduced Rate* — $200 — For those who need financial support
Pay It Forward Rate — $250 — For those who can afford to pay a little more to support our scholarship program
*If you would like to participate but the cost of the circle at the reduced rate is a challenge or you would like to set-up a payment plan please complete our scholarship request form or contact us.
Standard Rate — $225 — Covers our expenses and keeps the collective on a sustainable path
Reduced Rate* — $200 — For those who need financial support
Pay It Forward Rate — $250 — For those who can afford to pay a little more to support our scholarship program
*If you would like to participate but the cost of the circle at the reduced rate is a challenge or you would like to set-up a payment plan please complete our scholarship request form or contact us.
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Location:
Circles are held in-person at Elizabeth's home in Silver Spring, MD near the Sligo Avenue Neighborhood Park. The exact address will be sent to participants upon registration. Participants may also attend virtually. There is ample free street parking. We are about 1 mile from both the Silver Spring and Takoma metro stations and there are also busses from each of the stations that stop a block away (the 16 bus from Silver Spring and the 14 bus from Takoma). |
Health Policy:
To attend in-person you must be fully vaccinated and boosted. When meeting indoors, masks will be mandatory for adults. In the case of mild weather we can meet outdoors on a fully screened-in porch.
If participants have any symptoms of illness (Covid-19 or otherwise), have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19, or have tested positive yourself, they are required to join on zoom. Participants can, of course, join on zoom for any other reason as well.
The circle will meet all virtually if necessary.
To attend in-person you must be fully vaccinated and boosted. When meeting indoors, masks will be mandatory for adults. In the case of mild weather we can meet outdoors on a fully screened-in porch.
If participants have any symptoms of illness (Covid-19 or otherwise), have been in contact with anyone who has symptoms or has tested positive for Covid-19, or have tested positive yourself, they are required to join on zoom. Participants can, of course, join on zoom for any other reason as well.
The circle will meet all virtually if necessary.
Mamas Circles start throughout the year. If you are interested in a future circle, please submit the form below and we'll be in touch to confirm your interest and include you in our next circle.
We strive to host circles that are inclusive, accessible spaces for all mama-identifying people, including those with disabilities, to engage in. If you have an accessibility need please mention it in the form below and we'll follow up with you directly.
Pre-crawling babies are welcome but we do not have the space or childcare available for older babies, toddlers or children so they should be with another caregiver during the circle.
We strive to host circles that are inclusive, accessible spaces for all mama-identifying people, including those with disabilities, to engage in. If you have an accessibility need please mention it in the form below and we'll follow up with you directly.
Pre-crawling babies are welcome but we do not have the space or childcare available for older babies, toddlers or children so they should be with another caregiver during the circle.
Clicking submit will send us your registration and take you to the payment page. If you are registering for a group with a waitlist or a future group please skip payment and we will reach out to you with more information soon.
Mamas Circle FAQ
Who can join?
We welcome anyone who identifies as a mom. We embrace diversity in background, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, etc. Mamas Circle is open to any mom with a newborn to pre-crawling baby and Motherhood Circles are open to moms with young children. If you are pregnant please join our Pregnancy Circle. The groups are all usually a good mix of new and veteran mamas - first-time, second-time or moms with many more children are welcome.
How many people will be in my circle? What will they be like?
Each circle will have between 6-10 moms. Many are on maternity leave some will likely have decided to take additional time off work or transition to working part time. There will be first time moms and moms with other children. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with other moms on our online community.
When should I join?
The short answer is join when you are ready! The youngest baby to join Mamas Circle was just 5 days old but most babies are 1-4 months old. Since this group is run in 6-week sessions you should find one starting around the time you are looking for.
My baby is 6 months old. Is it too late to join?
Mamas Circle is designed for moms and their newborn to pre-crawling babies (most babies are 0-4 months old). If you have an older baby or toddler please join a Motherhood Circle.
Where do we meet?
We are currently offering circles in-person on a well-ventilated screen porch in Silver Spring, MD. Please note, we require participants to be fully vaccinated and boosted to attend in-person circles, otherwise you can join the circle via zoom.
What if I need accommodations for a disability?
We strive to host circles that are inclusive, accessible spaces for all mama-identifying people, including those with disabilities, to engage in. If you have an accessibility need please mention it in the registration form and we'll follow up with you directly.
What makes Mamas Circle different from other moms groups?
Mamas Circle is a community and its content is truly mom-inspired. By not having a strict curriculum we have ample time each week to talk about what you need most - whether its help with baby's sleep, the changing relationship with your spouse, how to find time for yourself, or something else entirely. Mamas Circle is the beginning of lasting friendships that continue well beyond the session with play dates, family gatherings, and more.
Why should I join?
Having a new baby is a big adjustment. Whether it's your first or fifth child, each baby brings its own joys and challenges to you and your family and it's important to have a supportive community of moms going through it. Many moms look back as their babies grow and wonder how they would have done it without the wonderful women they meet with each week (and beyond).
Can I drop-in to one week or start mid-session?
We don't have drop-ins - each week we get to know each other a little better and share the details of our lives and it's not conducive to have moms just come for a session or two. The positive part of this is when everyone commits to the group it creates a really wonderful and supportive place to return to. Mamas Circles are closed after the second meeting of the session.
What if I am going to miss a week? Is there a way to make-up?
Due to the session/cohort model there are no make-ups.
What if I changed my mind? Can I get a refund?
Full refunds (minus a processing fee) are available up to one week ahead of the circle start date. Cancellations between one week and the start of the circle receive a 50% refund. No refunds are available after the circle start date.
Can I give Mamas Circle as a gift?
Absolutely! It's a wonderful alternative to more baby "stuff." Simply contact us and we'll provide you with a personalized gift certificate.
What if the time doesn't work for me?
Please get in touch! We'll expand the circle if there is more demand and would love to include you in a future group if we are able.
Have another question? Please contact us.
We welcome anyone who identifies as a mom. We embrace diversity in background, sexual orientation, age, race, religion, etc. Mamas Circle is open to any mom with a newborn to pre-crawling baby and Motherhood Circles are open to moms with young children. If you are pregnant please join our Pregnancy Circle. The groups are all usually a good mix of new and veteran mamas - first-time, second-time or moms with many more children are welcome.
How many people will be in my circle? What will they be like?
Each circle will have between 6-10 moms. Many are on maternity leave some will likely have decided to take additional time off work or transition to working part time. There will be first time moms and moms with other children. You'll also have the opportunity to connect with other moms on our online community.
When should I join?
The short answer is join when you are ready! The youngest baby to join Mamas Circle was just 5 days old but most babies are 1-4 months old. Since this group is run in 6-week sessions you should find one starting around the time you are looking for.
My baby is 6 months old. Is it too late to join?
Mamas Circle is designed for moms and their newborn to pre-crawling babies (most babies are 0-4 months old). If you have an older baby or toddler please join a Motherhood Circle.
Where do we meet?
We are currently offering circles in-person on a well-ventilated screen porch in Silver Spring, MD. Please note, we require participants to be fully vaccinated and boosted to attend in-person circles, otherwise you can join the circle via zoom.
What if I need accommodations for a disability?
We strive to host circles that are inclusive, accessible spaces for all mama-identifying people, including those with disabilities, to engage in. If you have an accessibility need please mention it in the registration form and we'll follow up with you directly.
What makes Mamas Circle different from other moms groups?
Mamas Circle is a community and its content is truly mom-inspired. By not having a strict curriculum we have ample time each week to talk about what you need most - whether its help with baby's sleep, the changing relationship with your spouse, how to find time for yourself, or something else entirely. Mamas Circle is the beginning of lasting friendships that continue well beyond the session with play dates, family gatherings, and more.
Why should I join?
Having a new baby is a big adjustment. Whether it's your first or fifth child, each baby brings its own joys and challenges to you and your family and it's important to have a supportive community of moms going through it. Many moms look back as their babies grow and wonder how they would have done it without the wonderful women they meet with each week (and beyond).
Can I drop-in to one week or start mid-session?
We don't have drop-ins - each week we get to know each other a little better and share the details of our lives and it's not conducive to have moms just come for a session or two. The positive part of this is when everyone commits to the group it creates a really wonderful and supportive place to return to. Mamas Circles are closed after the second meeting of the session.
What if I am going to miss a week? Is there a way to make-up?
Due to the session/cohort model there are no make-ups.
What if I changed my mind? Can I get a refund?
Full refunds (minus a processing fee) are available up to one week ahead of the circle start date. Cancellations between one week and the start of the circle receive a 50% refund. No refunds are available after the circle start date.
Can I give Mamas Circle as a gift?
Absolutely! It's a wonderful alternative to more baby "stuff." Simply contact us and we'll provide you with a personalized gift certificate.
What if the time doesn't work for me?
Please get in touch! We'll expand the circle if there is more demand and would love to include you in a future group if we are able.
Have another question? Please contact us.