There may come a point, perhaps in the past, or yet to come, where something you long hoped for and imagined, is not how you expected. It challenges and surprises, taking the wind out of your sails.
“How could I not cope, when this was all I ever wanted,” writes Naomi Jeffree.
“I thought I was ready to take on the world. Then I had a baby, and my world fell apart. I had always believed I was born to be a mum- that was my jam- but I wasn’t coping.”
At the 12-week postnatal mark, a change caused a positive shift for Naomi. As is life is known to do, a small moment creates ripples that would be enduring. Naomi was asked to lead a community playgroup.
“That simple invitation changed everything for me. For the next 12 years, I thrived. I built a network of supportive people around me, was professionally challenged, and found purpose in giving back to the community- a source of endless ‘warm fuzzies’.”
Naomi was trained in early years education and a mother craft nurse, so she had a base of experience which helped, yet it was the opportunity playgroup granted her- to navigate the early years of motherhood through friendship and shared experiences. The role also gave her the confidence and skills to step into paid work facilitating playgroups in various programs, once her boys started school.
“That first job opened the door to further opportunities, and 14 years ago, I joined Playgroup Victoria. Today, I am proud to serve as the Training Coordinator role I consider an incredible honor and yet another gift playgroup has given me.”
Naomi had found a place to belong, connect, learn and grow. It helped her build capacity and confidence as a mum in a rapidly changing world- a world that continues to evolve at speed and the question arises, what does that mean for parents and carers in the modern, often urban spaces, families find themselves in.
Naomi realised that distance and public transport access enhanced the difficulty of travelling with babies and toddlers. Isolation increased and so to did the opportunity to have touchstone moments with others- the ones that resemble the village of old- neighbours helping one another, knowing the grocer and the butcher, living close to extended family making drop-ins part of daily life.
“When I think of a playgroup, I’m reminded of life in a village thousands of years ago,” said Naomi.
“Fathers went off to hunt while mothers gathered around a fire, cooking, sharing stories, and supporting one another. Elders mentored the younger generations, and children played nearby, learning life skills through play in the safety of their community.”
“Sound familiar? To me, that’s what playgroup is: simple, yet profoundly impactful.”
While unrest and uncertainty hang in the uber connected, globalized world- a world where it is not unusual for many among us spend hours tethered to live phone updates and email alerts- there are parts of humanity that remain the same and need to. At the forefront of which is the support of others, working together, being part of a community.
“The value of playgroup cannot be underestimated,” said Naomi.
“As humans, we thrive on connection, support, and a sense of belonging.”
“Across Australia, countless playgroup families have stories like mine- stories of transformation, connection, growth and resilience. I have heard more of them than I could ever recount and I hold each one very close as a continued reminder of why I’m so passionate about playgroup.”
Naomi’s two young boys are now young men and she could not be more proud of them. The mother she dreamt of being has been realized. She has been that mother all along, but she needed to be a mother in a village. Naomi’s love for her sons knows no bounds and it was at playgroup that she was able to share that and gather reassurance, that her love was safe, where the importance of what she was holding was valued.
Naomi has passed on that nurture and care to others, in the vulnerable time of early childhood, as they came into her village.
“Playgroup saved me. That sounds dramatic, doesn’t it? But it’s true. Playgroup really did save me.”
“In my opinion, playgroup is the backbone of our communities. Anyone who has been part of the playgroup journey, in any capacity, will understand when I say this: Playgroup saved me.”
Find and Connect with a Playgroup Near You
Hear the Full Interview with Naomi Jeffree on
For the Love of Play Podcast
Article by Sinead Halliday