Marriott Mums started as a simple group for young mums to catch-up and trade stories about the learning curve of motherhood. The once small circle of friends has now grown into an empowering community that unites more than 400 mums in Cayman.
Ahead of Mother’s Day, Marriott Mums founder Charlotte Lewis spoke with Cayman Compass about the group, its foundations and the safe space it has created for local mums.
In 2016, Lewis began practicing prenatal pilates, and she wanted to connect with other mums in her class.
“We started reaching out to each other about meeting up and just sharing some experiences and seeing babies, doing a bit of a baby show off,” she said.
They began meeting Tuesdays at the Marriott. The space soon became a regular meet-up and a way for young mothers to get out of the house.
Humble beginnings
What started with about six mums quickly expanded to a Facebook group and a WhatsApp group, as word spread among young mothers in the community.
“I think at one point, we had at least 20 babies turn up and had push chairs about everywhere in the Marriott,” Lewis said.
As a young mum at the time, she said, it was important for her to have a regular appointment in the diary. The group was a way to share tips and meet new people. It was also something to look forward to, amidst the stressors of motherhood.
“It was just lovely to know that, and even now to know, that everybody is still meeting,” Lewis said. “It just shows you that mums need it.”
Mums supporting mums
Heidi Chapman, one of the group’s early members, described the meet-up as a safe place for mothers.
She said she was so happy to see what started as a Facebook group grow into a lasting community of mums supporting mums.
When she moved to Cayman from the UK, she said the group was a source of support during her second pregnancy. It helped her understand what to expect as a newcomer to the island and the differences from the UK, where she had her first child.
“There are lots of people that I am still friends with from that group that maybe I wouldn’t have met otherwise from different scenarios,” she said.
She added that her daughter and Lewis’s daughter have remained friends as well.
Navigating COVID together
The group also provided an important support network for first-time mum Mahreen Nabi.
She said she became pregnant while trying to navigate COVID. She lacked a local support system of relatives to guide her as a first-time mum.
“I had a lot of friends who weren’t pregnant or hadn’t had children. So, it was really nice to have Marriott Mums sent to me by a friend who was like, ‘Oh, you may want to join this group.’ There are other moms who are looking to connect and ask questions,” she said.
For Nabi, the group became much more than a weekly meet-up. It was a network where she could learn from mums with kids in varying stages of growth.
She recalled the US baby formula shortage and how mums looked out for each other, posting valuable updates on supplies and shopping locations.
The community has also banded together to uplift mums in need, like Reeza, who is trying to raise a 3-month-old daughter far from her family.
“I am thankful to the mum group, and it’s Admin. This group has all these amazing moms … tirelessly doing huge efforts in order to extend their help,” she said. “Thanks to Elena, who reached out to me during my pregnancy and provided us baby essentials that we needed. If not for the group I [wouldn’t have] met her and all the other moms who gave their advice during my lowest.”
Mum Elena said the Marriott Mums rallied to help and provide support without hesitation.
She said it reminded her of when she first joined the group and the support she received after giving birth.
“I have no family here apart from my husband, but the mums in the group were there to help. When I was suffering from mastitis, mums I had never met before reached out privately and asked how I was doing,” she said.
“Every question I had was met in Google-like response time with friendly replies of advice, support and recommendations.”
The group continues to meet and provide support on all things from childcare to preschool options and beyond.
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