Parent WhatsApp groups often get a bad reputation, but for many new mothers they provide a vital 24-hour support network. Writer Wendy Syfret describes how, after bringing her daughter home, she found solace in these digital spaces during long, sleepless nights.
While some groups can be toxic—as highlighted by actor Ashley French's viral piece about leaving her 'judgy' mothers' group—Syfret's chats became nonjudgmental sanctuaries. She could ask advice, celebrate small victories, or simply vent at any hour.
For teacher Jessica, who had twins, a WhatsApp group for parents of multiples was a lifeline. 'Singleton parents can't really understand twin parenthood,' she says. The chat provided a cheer squad and integrated support into her daily life, especially when leaving the house was nearly impossible.
Louella, who has strong in-person support, still values her WhatsApp mothers' group for its always-on connection. 'It's nice to have someone message and be like: I'm up doing the 3am feed, is anyone else awake?'
Art director Annie Portelli's group, 'Free Therapy for the Mummy Vault', offers both in-person meetups and constant online intimacy. 'You can literally say anything... and no one will judge you,' she says. A welfare-check message after a bad night means the world when feeling like a failure.
This phenomenon is not new; parents have sought these spaces for decades. Kiri, whose children are now teenagers, recalls her council mothers' group as more performative, with pressure to appear coping. In contrast, today's WhatsApp chats can offer genuine, round-the-clock support.
