After bringing a life into the world, Oak Harbor resident Monica Mare came to discover an unfortunate truth.

Motherhood can be lonely.

While her husband went to his job each day, the first-time mother said she felt isolated and a little overwhelmed in caring for a preemie baby who neither sleeps well at night nor likes riding in cars.

Fortunately, she came upon a brochure for Mother Mentors, a Whidbey Island nonprofit group that matches families with trained volunteers who nurture mothers and other caregivers of young children by providing practical and emotional support.

Mare said she now looks forward to the days when Julie Ward, a Mother Mentor volunteer from Oak Harbor, stops by to help out. While Ward plays or reads with the little boy, who’s nearly 1 years old and has beautiful brown eyes, Mare has time to take a shower, bathe the dog or start supper.

“It’s just a little breather,” Mare said. “It’s so helpful.”

Mother Mentors is growing and evolving. Kate McVay, the director of the group, said that interest has especially expanded on North Whidbey, where many more volunteers are needed. A four-hour training program is coming up on Monday, Oct. 27 for those who are interested.

Mother Mentors has also taken over the Baby Connections program at the Toddler Learning Center in Oak Harbor. It’s now called Playscape North; the original Playscape is in Langley.

McVay explained that the free, facilitated program is for children from birth to 36 months old and their caregivers. Adults and children play together and engage in learning activities designed to stimulate healthy development.

“Believe it or not, some parents don’t know how to play with a child,” McVay said, adding that children learn through play.

In addition, the Playscape is a place where parents of young children can meet, share their experiences and support one another.

“It’s a great place to have an adult conversation,” she said.

McVay said the goal of both Playscape and the in-home volunteer program is to nurture mothers and other caregivers of small children in a nonjudgemental way. It’s not about experts telling people how to parent, but neighbors lending a helping hand and maybe sharing a few tricks of the parents trade.

It’s not a babysitting service, however.

South Whidbey resident Kristin Lasher started Mother Mentors five years ago. Her touching and honest story about her own struggles with motherhood is on the group’s website, whidbeymothermentors.org

“In 2008, now a grandmother, I knew what I still wanted to do in life,” she wrote. “I wanted to gather mothers like me to give support to new mothers. It is basic and ancient work.”

McVay said while mentors tend to be women who have grown children, both men and women are welcome.

McVay matches parents and mentors who have similar parenting styles. Mare credits her with getting her match with Ward just right. She said she’s very thankful that Ward came into her life.

Ward said she started volunteering as a Mother Mentor this summer. She said she remembers being a scared young mother 27 years ago.

“I remember getting out of the hospital and not knowing what to do,” she said, adding that a neighbor and the La Leche League gave her invaluable support.

Ward is a strong believer in the importance of mothering, which she describes as “important, skilled work.”

Still, she admits that volunteering to spend time with the adorable little boy isn’t all selfless.

“You miss the little ones when they grow up,” she said.

For more information, check out the group’s website or Facebook page, call 1-888-265-6151 or email wamothermentors@gmail.com