DESPITE a growing number of multiple births in Ballarat, the Ballarat and Districts Multiple Births Association, or BDMBA, has seen a decline in numbers over recent years.<\/p>\n
The group\u2019s new committee, including president Krista Navarro, is looking to change this, and is encouraging families with twins, triplets, or other multiple births to join the group.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m originally from Sydney and when I got pregnant with the twins I joined the multiple births association south-west Sydney but the girls were born during the pandemic so I didn\u2019t get to meet anyone,\u201d said Ms Navarro.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I moved, I really wanted the opportunity to connect with people so I transferred my membership and I really wanted to make some likeminded friends.\u201d<\/p>\n
The group allows parents who are experiencing similar difficulties to connect with each other and socialise.<\/p>\n
\u201cMost of my friends now are from the association,\u201d said Ms Navarro.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe get together for events to be there for each other because we\u2019re all in the same boat and it\u2019s really different to having a single child.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s this whole network of passing on knowledge and it feels like this big village.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amanda Borner is another member of the BDMBA who already had two children before the birth of her twins.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were really out of our comfort zone and worried about what was ahead, so we went to a BDMBA information night, and it was so beneficial,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe connected with a couple of the other families in similar situation as us with other kids already in the family and they were wonderful at giving advice.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere are so many different things that people with single children don\u2019t get so we found it really valuable.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ms Navarro said the pandemic may be one reason why the group is not seeing a growth in membership, but she encouraged more parents to consider joining.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think the pandemic really affected our memberships because people couldn\u2019t attend and it was a really difficult time for a lot of families, so we are seeing the flow on effect now,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe willingness to be part of a community is less of a priority and the cost of living is high.<\/p>\n
\u201cPeople were so used to being on their own and have become more resilient on their own.\u201d<\/p>\n
Membership to the group costs $35 per year and Ms Navarro said joining the group is well worth this fee.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe run a program of events for our members like the Halloween disco and the Christmas party which is free,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cHaving those opportunities within our own community to connect and have fun is worth the $35 in my opinion and you also get certain discounts for formular and other little things.\u201d<\/p>\n
There are also plans to introduce support for families who may not be able to afford the membership.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of my aims as the president is to get some grants and fundraising to support some families who are struggling in our area,\u201d said Ms Navarro.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf there are any families who are struggling, please reach out and we\u2019ll see if we can help.\u201d<\/p>\n