Mum for Mum

22/04/2026

Myfhi on the Today Show talking about Mum for Mum and how she wouldn’t be the mum she is today if not for our program.

14/04/2026

When parenting feels heavy, we often lean into logic or discipline to find our way out. But some research suggests that laughter does more than just lighten the mood—it actually shifts our brain chemistry.

Why humour helps:
• Lowers Stress: Shared laughter can reduce cortisol (the stress hormone) in both you and your child.

• Builds Safety: Humour signals to a child’s nervous system that they are safe and loved, even in moments of friction.

• Encourages Cooperation: It is much harder to maintain a "power imbalance" when you are both giggling.

A gentle reminder: You don’t have to be a comedian. Sometimes, just a silly face or a playful word is enough to turn a "problem" into a "signpost" toward a solution.

For an older age-range of 13-17:

Humour helps parents connect with teens by reducing tension, humanizing the adult, and opening doors to sensitive topics. Hunour can significantly reduce the perceived power imbalance between adults and teens. It is important that it is authentic and not contrived. Poorly timed or unamusing humour can backfire.

We wish you a bit of humour to help bridge a gap today. 🩷

References:
A. Baldassarre, “Adult therapist in the adolescents group,” Jan. 2004.

A. Blackmore, “TO JOKE OR NOT TO JOKE – some upper-secondary school students’ perceptions and experiences of humour in the classroom.,” Jan. 2011.

K. Qin and F. Beauchemin, “‘I Can Go Slapsticks’: Humor as Humanizing Pedagogy for Science Instruction With Multilingual Adolescent Immigrant Learners,” Literacy Research: Theory, Method, And Practice, vol. 71, no. 1, pp. 304–322, Aug. 2022, doi: 10.1177/23813377221114766.

05/04/2026

Phone Support… A new initiative

We're excited to share that Mum for Mum is now offering ONE ON ONE PHONE SUPPORT. This will enable us to provide connection to many more mothers who we have been unable to support due to geographical distance..

We have a number of experienced Mum for Mum volunteers who are ready to take this on.

Mum for Mum has already had very positive experiences with remote support more informally. In our experience we find that some mothers prefer this model as it can be more flexible, time effective and less confronting while also giving mother greater emotional control and time control with an unpredictable new baby.

We are clear we are not replacing the role of psychologists, counsellors or caseworkers but rather represent someone to accompany the mums on their journey of motherhood through a more informal lived experience relationship built over time.

Thanks to Abbotsleigh Old Girls who provided a small grant for a pilot study and our fabulous volunteer and Old Girl, Louise who applied for the grant and is helping us coordinate the project. .

Watch this space.

22/03/2026

As we recognise Harmony Week Mum for Mum celebrates the rich connections we have made with mothers and volunteers hailing from over 75 nationalities. Our dream that ALL mothers should have a wise caring “mother-type” figure at their side as they enter parenting is something we strive for.  With OAM Rozemary Kariuki of Rosemary’s Way today.

07/03/2026

07/03/2026

At Mum for Mum we celebrate women every day. Women with the lived experience of motherhood accompanying other women as they transition to motherhood. Gently through an ongoing relationship we encourage new mothers to believe in themselves and find their voice so as to create a village of support to raise their child.

22/02/2026

So touched that Lewis Blackburn chose to fundraise and support us in the Cole Classic today. It takes a village to make our program the huge success it is and there’s nothing better than seeing sons and
dads of our Mum for Mum family wearing our T-shirts and helping us thrive.

16/12/2025

Mum for Mum has been integrally connected with the Jewish community since its founding and we’ve been grief-stricken that this tragedy could occur in our country. We have been deeply heartened by recipients volunteers and colleagues of all nationalities reaching out:

These words by a generous funder gave us strength:

“Mum for Mum is one of the incredible ways you spread your light throughout the community in such a brilliant way.
You put your arms around those in need and we figuratively wrap our arms around you now.”

May we all contribute to building stronger, healthier and caring communities and not be afraid to speak out.



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12/12/2025

How amazing that Baby Village has chosen to support Mum for Mum with every purchase for 12 days before Xmas. This will contribute to getting our new hub going thus getting to more mums. So touched that they recognise the exceptional service we provide.

https://www.babyvillage.com.au

07/12/2025

06/12/2025

We are so grateful to an ever growing number of people, family foundations and corporations who are choosing to partner with Mum for Mum to support 3 generations through our carefully created Mum for Mum volunteer program. Thanks to all of you who supported our Monash golf day. It takes a village of organisers, volunteers, friends, staff and a great Board to make this such a huge success.