Courtney Booth found it hard to meet other mums when she moved to Canberra with her eldest son. Photo: Courtney Booth.
Motherhood can be one of the most rewarding experiences, but it can also be one of the most challenging.
For many, it can feel isolating, especially in a transient city like Canberra.
Without the support system many take for granted – extended family, childhood friends and familiar colleagues – it’s essential for mothers to have a space where they can be themselves without judgment.
Courtney Booth, for example, faced challenges in connecting with other mothers when she moved to Canberra from Sydney with her eldest son. Despite trying community playgroups and using the Peanut app, many of her connections were short-lived. It wasn’t until the birth of her third son that she found the meaningful connection she’d been seeking.
That connection came through Mamma Mingle, a local organisation that creates welcoming spaces for mums to meet, share experiences and build lasting friendships.
“It was such a warm and welcoming environment. From the moment I walked in, I felt at ease,” says Courtney.
Second- and third-time mums, who often lack the structured support first-time parents receive, benefit greatly from Mamma Mingle. The group fills a vital gap left by government-funded programs that mostly focus on new parents.
Mamma Mingle was founded in 2020 by Micaela Centenera, who wanted to connect with other mums after the birth of her son Quin, moving to Canberra and as the world shut down due to COVID. What began as a small initiative quickly blossomed into a community resource and an important source of support for Micaela since Quin was diagnosed with autism.
“There were times in my own motherhood journey when I felt overwhelmed, and having a space to share openly made all the difference,” says Micaela.
Making Mamma Mingle possible is its connection to The Little Capsule Co (TLCco), a store in Pearce that sells high-quality, second-hand children’s clothing. The store, created by Micaela and her friend Jane Stagg, is not just about clothes, it’s about community. The tragic loss of Jane’s firstborn, Ava, due to complications of a preterm birth, inspired the creation of TLCco.
“TLCco is a mix of our experiences, our friendship and just wanting to put something good into the world … It’s fashion, but make it sustainable. It’s a business, but it gives back. It’s about supporting female-led brands, rehoming beautiful baby clothes and making sure nothing goes to waste,” says Jane.
“TLCco funds Mamma Mingle’s rent and incidental costs, so every purchase helps keep our mums’ groups running and ensures there’s a welcoming space for mums to connect, because at the end of the day, it’s not just about clothes, it’s about community.”
Mamma Mingle has now grown into a weekly event at the Pearce Community Centre. There’s something for every mum, whether it’s the casual Mamma Mingle meet-up (first Friday of the month), the Mamma Mingle Book Club (where no one really talks about the book, second Friday of the month), or the new Mamma Mingle Plus (third Friday of the month), featuring guest speakers on topics ranging from sleep to mental health. For those who need more intimate support, Fill Your Cup (fourth Friday of the month) provides space for deeper conversations as of this year.
Like Courtney, Micaela and Jane, Sammantha McNeair found Mamma Mingle just at the right time and is now actively involved in its organisation and promotion as head of community and partnerships.
“Micaela’s own experience of isolation and the challenges of new motherhood led her to start Mamma Mingle, and that’s something I deeply relate to.”
Sammantha McNeair needed support more than ever when she gave birth to her son after the loss of her daughter.
Sammantha’s own motherhood journey has also sadly been marked by deep loss. After the death of her 11-day-old daughter in 2022, Sammantha found herself pregnant again just months later with her son, born healthy but into a whirlwind of anxiety.
“Motherhood has been a rollercoaster for me. I know firsthand how important it is to have a space where you can just show up as you are – messy bun, spit-up-covered shirt and all – and feel completely seen and supported,” says Sammantha.
The evolution of Mamma Mingle into a reliable, accessible space for mums reflects its mission to help women feel less alone in the chaos of motherhood. As another mum who uses Mamma Mingle shares, “I didn’t realise how much I needed this until I came.”
Mamma Mingle’s future vision is clear: to be a household name in Canberra, creating more spaces for connection and ensuring mums have the support they need, no matter what stage of motherhood they are in.
“At the end of the day, motherhood is unpredictable. Some days, you feel like you’ve got it all figured out; other days, you’re Googling ‘why won’t my baby sleep’ at 3 am,” Samantha says.
“We want Mamma Mingle to be the constant—a space that’s always here, always welcoming and always filled with mums who’ve got your back.”
To any new mum struggling to find her support network, Courtney’s message is simple: “Put yourself out there, be open about your experiences. Motherhood can feel overwhelming at times, but we all need love, kindness and a supportive community where we can share, listen and form beautiful friendships.”
Because, after all, it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to support a mum.
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