From #MomTok to meetups: Central Valley moms find connections with each other

VISALIA, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE) – What started as a handful of TikTok posts has evolved into a real-life mom-support system in the Central Valley, offering an open invitation to all moms navigating motherhood.

“We’re here to support regardless of what stage you’re in,” Central Valley mom Miranda Fraga told YourCentralValley.com on Thursday. “Working mom, you work from home, you have one kid, multiple, maybe you’re an adoption mom or surrogacy – we see you, we’re here and you’re doing amazing.”

Fraga says the #CentralValleyMomTok movement started in June. Fraga started posting to TikTok as a form of self-care, accountability and an attempt to connect to other moms.

“I almost talked myself out of it a couple times, is it’s like really putting yourself out there,” Fraga said. “But I thought, even if this only resonates with one person, then that’s amazing.”

Soon, other moms began chiming in. Carieanne Jensen says she connected with Fraga’s honesty right away.

“I think that a lot of times there’s a lot of buildup when you have a baby,” Jensen said. “The baby shower and all the exciting parts…and then when the baby comes. I think it’s really easy to kind of for moms to kind of get inside themselves.”

Jensen says the online community has quickly become a support group for many mothers of all stages. Like Chloe Flores, who recalled her own struggles during sleepless nights with a newborn and the solace that she found thanks to her fellow moms.

“With my newborns, I’ve been up at 2 a.m., feeding the fresh newborn, just crying because there’s just a lot,” Flores said. “But then what made me really like, find my peace with that too, is just thinking like I’m not alone.”

The moms eventually decided to organize an in-person meetup. With the help of Connect Coffee in Visalia, the moms took their online bond into the real world. Co-owner Susie Perez, a mom of three, said it was the perfect fit.

“There are so many beautiful parts of being a mom, and other parts that are very hard,” Perez said. “To create a space where moms can feel comfortable and connect is priceless.”

Fraga hopes the Central Valley Momtok group will inspire others to start their own groups and lead with kindness and understanding.

For more information on official Central Valley Momtok meetups any mom interested can visit CentralValleyMomtok on social media.