Aneira Davies
Social and newsletter writerA mum has come up with a clever idea to help other parents who may be struggling or feeling lonely – and it's been shared hundreds of times on Instagram
As parents, we've all found ourselves in situations where a friendly smile or helping hand would have made all the difference.
When you're juggling a screaming baby, an escaping toddler and you've just dropped your shopping all over the car park… Or you're at soft play without any nappies when your little one's bottom explodes everywhere.
For psychotherapist and mum of 3 Anna Mathur, it was one of these moments that led to 'The Mum Ribbon Movement'
An Instagram campaign designed to offer parents extra support in the real world, Anna posted her ribbon idea this weekend (16 April) on social media and it's already gone viral, with people calling it 'wonderful' and saying 'it will help so many'.
What is The Mum Ribbon Movement?
The idea behind The Mum Ribbon Movement is is that mums attach a ribbon of any colour or pattern onto their bag. This shows that you're available for a chat or anything else a struggling parent might need.
The Instagram post, showing a green ribbon attached to a bag, reads:
'The ribbon tied to my bag says… you can ask me for a spare nappy, a hug or a chat if you feel lonely. It says I'm here if you need a not-so-random act of kindness.
'It says I'm open to you offering help if I'm having a tough time. It says I welcome your words of solidarity if you see me deep breathing in the high street.'
In the caption, Anna wrote:
'The ribbon says:
- I am open to you offering me some kind words or support
- I’m here if you need some kind words or support'
She added:
'It’s also for those who’ve messaged me to say that they’ve been offered support before, but said they were "fine thanks" when they weren’t. So it might be a statement to yourself that you’re stepping out in letting others step towards you!'
She told fans she thought the idea would either 'rocket' or 'flop', before adding:
'I’m okay with finding out and looking like a plonker if it doesn’t work.'
Anna also told followers it meant that parents could ask others for a 'spare nappy, a hug or a chat if you feel lonely'.
'My hope is that this will give people permission to approach and connect with others'
Speaking to Netmums, Anna told us the idea came from a trip out she had with her 3 children, aged 8, 6 and 4. As 1 of her children was screaming and the other 2 were lagging behind, Anna revealed she'd looked around for a friend to give her a hug or help her out.
Instead, she saw parents and grandparents who probably would have liked to help but didn't know they could approach her, just as she wouldn't have felt able to approach another mum in the same situation.
'I think there are moments in motherhood where you just think "I can't do it",' Anna added. 'And you just want to be mothered.'
Anna explained that often people feel like they can't approach a struggling parent for fear of rejection, being patronised or offending them.
And, she adds, if someone does ask you if you're ok, 'it can feel like a statement of your failure'.
As an antidote, Anna came up with this friendly way of letting others know you're open to support, something that can be difficult for mums, as it's often hard to ask for help.
'It's a way to identify being open to each other and to know you're not going to be rebuffed,' she explained. 'My hope is that this will give people permission to approach and connect with others.'
'Mums are struggling and juggling more than ever and often it’s in those moments they need kindness the most,' Anna added.
'I knew that at least 1 of them must have wished they could help me'
Sharing a series of pics alongside her Insta post, Anna explained:
'I looked around, hoping to see a friend or someone I knew who could give me a hug or help me. I saw mums and families, and I knew that at least 1 of them must have wished they could help me.
'It got me thinking, what stops us from asking, what stops us from offering?'
'I would LOVE to be the mum who helped another mum,' Anna continued, 'with an extra hand, some emergency wipes, or some comfort.'
What do others think?
And others were just as supportive of Anna's idea, with 1 fan writing:
'This is so wonderful Anna and I’m sure it will help many ❤️☺️.'
A 2nd said it was 'definitely worth a share'.
'Love this idea! Off to find some ribbons!,' wrote a 3rd.
Another wrote, in reply:
'We can’t wait, thank you for coming up with this beautiful movement. 🙌👏❤️.'
Plenty more followers shared their own stories of being helped themselves or helping others with extra baby wipes and holding a stranger's baby.
'I don’t know why we don’t share these situations more often,' said 1 mum. 'I love the ribbon idea 🎀.'
'I believe particularly in the U.K. we need to get a lot more comfortable asking for help and not seeing it as a failure / judging or shaming,' said another in response.
What do you think? Share your own stories of 'random acts of kindness' in our chat thread below, or access parenting support in our dedicated section here.
Related stories
Mum's hilarious rant on what it's REALLY like to be a woman goes viral
CHAT: Share your stories of 'random acts of kindness'
Why self-care is so important for maternal mental health
