In my own land...

It was in the early part of 2007 that I went back to teaching part time in a music specialist capacity. This was very enjoyable, a break from being Mum and a chance to feel fulfilled. It was also during this time that my husband and got the wonderful news (a surprise) that we were going to have another baby.
I admit we had started trying but didn't think I would become pregnant so soon as it took us a while to conceive the first time.

I was the first one in the Mother's group to fall pregnant, however they appeared to be very supportive and caring around this time.
I suffered with 'morning sickness' for the first trimester and found that I wasn't get the support and understanding that I expected from my husband so it was a relief to get support from my Mother's group friends.....

When it came to hosting the catch ups I was told that other mums could do this (to give me a rest or that we would hold it at a park (even though I was happy to host!)
Of course later down the track this would be twisted and used against me....

I do remember that even then Julie* had suggested that I find another playgroup..if only I headed her warning!
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Cracks starting to show

I started to see cracks in this nice facade (that was the mother's group) when we had a new mother join the group. Narelle* came from Africa and was starting a new life here with her husband and child.
She obviously had no family or friends here (to begin with) and few possessions.
Therefore, I would drive her around (when possible) and tried to include her in our group catch ups.

Narelle has never commented on her first meeting with the 'ladies' in the mother's group but I can say they were very rude. They hardly gave her the time of day and treated her like an outsider.
I don't know if she was aware of this behaviour or not as I made sure she felt welcome and would organise play dates with her daughter and mine.

Narelle ended up having to go to work full time so although we kept in contact (and still do) it meant the end of her association with the 'Mother's group'.

one leaves the hive...

For a week or so after Julie* had been confronted by the bitchy Mums it was a case of 'he said, she said' as I was hearing comments and snippets of conversations from both sides.
I remained neutral as I could see why both parties were angry and I tried to get them (Druzilla*, Yvette* and Julie*) to see each others side.

It seemed to be resolved after a few weeks but then I noticed that Julie* would make excuses as to why she couldn't make the Mother's group catch ups. However, she did manage to catch up with Myself and one other mother who wasn't involved in the altercation.
Julie* actually didn't discuss what had happened with Druzilla* and Yvette* but certainly indicated that she had been offended by them.
She was leaving the country to live in Japan so she only wanted to catch up with the people she liked..

I remember after she hadn't been attending our get togethers for a while Yvette* commented "Oh It would be fine for Julie* to come along, I have moved on..it is forgotten".
I believed this comment to be genuine even telling Julie*but she just warned me..be careful!
How true!....