Welcome, Mama!
When I moved to Cleveland in 2022, I knew my husband, my two young kids, my in-laws, and that was it. As a self-identified ambivert (i.e. an introverted extravert), I love to stay at home, but I crave a controlled flow of social connection. So I knew that it was going to be essential that I find connection and community in this new city. And yet, I was pretty unsure about where or how to start.
I quickly learned that finding community as a mother isn’t easy. It feels like middle school all over again, wondering if you’re going to fit in with the other moms or if your stroller, or feeding approach, or parenting style isn’t “right” then you’re doomed to be friendless and alone. But with the right support and a lot of positive self-talk, I realized that while it may feel intimidating, making mom friends isn’t all that difficult.
It required that I find the courage to seek connection without knowing if it would be reciprocated. It meant I had to show up when I was invited to the happy hour, or strike up a conversation at the kid’s birthday party, and ask the mom at dance class if we could plan a playdate. It meant moving with intention and a willingness to put myself out there to create the community I was longing for, because it wasn’t going to build itself. And it was that spirit that inspired me to create The Goodish Moms Club.
The Goodish Moms Club is an extension of my own journey to find my place in a new city, and stay connected with the parts of me that exist beyond my children. It is my dream that we create a space where moms can shamelessly pour into themselves, through enrichment and community with others who understand the ups and downs of motherhood.
In 2024, we expanded into a 501(c)(3) organization to better address the needs of our community. Now, in addition to fostering connections, we offer educational seminars and provide tangible goods like diapers and formula to support moms in the Cleveland metro area.
I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come and excited for the journey ahead!
Jaclyn Gorman
Founder, The Goodish Moms Club