Raising children with the support of social networks Westfield We are Family

It takes a village to raise our kids

"This is what I hear all day: mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy, mummy. Then my husband comes home and says, "Hi, mummy." So, I once had a name; it was Julie and my child's name is Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan Dan. I would love to vent and see if anyone out there, feels the same way...?"
Julie, mum of Dan, aged 3

Emma Walsh, an HR & careers practitioner who founded her HR consulting firm, Changing Places HR Services in 2004, believes that mums need a strong social network to help them in their journey through parenting: "Mums need the support and encouragement of other mums; it is important to have regular contact with other women going through the same experiences to create a sense of community for both mum and bub!"

Walsh is one of the experts hosting It Takes a Village events in the new Westfield We Are Family Campaign. She contends that more and more women are turning to their community for a sense of belonging: "Mums are reaching out to other mums; thinking outside the box to create positive solutions. For instance, some mums are creating childcare arrangements to temper the cost. Other mums use their social network to fill the void created by a lack of family support. In general, the mums I meet really value the friendship of and camaraderie with other mums experiencing the same challenges."

Walsh also believes that the best part of belonging to a social network is having the opportunity to create long term relationships with other families; growing together through the years in a supportive and nurturing environment.

Between June 16 and August 10, We Are Family will host approximately 160 free, interactive events on a diverse range of topics (including It Take a Village) at 32 Westfield centres across the nation for mums to learn, share and meet other mums in the community.

To help mums navigate their busy lives, over 1.3 million free Westfield We Are Family local guides will be available with helpful hints from other Mums, expert advice and quick access to community information. For more details, enquire at your local Westfield centre or check out the new We Are Family website at westfield.com.au/wearefamily on June 16 to be part of the family!!