For Mothers

Kamalat äidit® – peer support groups for mothers of teenagers

“I have more faith in myself; I am a good mom as I am”.

Is your child’s puberty challenging you as a parent? Would you like to share your thoughts with other mothers in the same life situation as you?

Join a Kamalat äidit/Terrible moms peer support group!
Please check our next English activities at the end of this page.
Our Helsinki group in Kamppi started 7 April.
In Espoo there is one evening workshop on 28 May and the group is starting in the Autumn 2026 (Matinkylä).

Kamalat äidit® organizes peer support activities for mothers of teenagers. In the groups, we discuss parenthood and other themes related to women’s lives, share knowledge about teenage years and encourage mothers to talk and share their thoughts with the other participants.

The groups are open to all mothers of teenagers. After the first meeting, to ensure confidentiality, the group continues as a closed group.

The Kamalat äidit® groups are peer-support group leader led groups, to which every mother of teenager can participate. In the group, we discuss daily life challenges such as curfews, use of money, intoxicants and addictions, as well as other things mothers are wondering and want to talk about.

The peer support groups usually meet every second week, 4 – 10 times in total, for approximately an hour and a half each time. 4 to 10 mothers can participate in one group. We expect the participants to be committed for the duration of the group.

Peer-support activities

Are a reciprocal and confidential exchange of experience.
Are based on people’s need to give and receive support from one another.
Are about sharing one’s own experience and life situation in a respectful and safe environment.

Would you like to join?

The Kamalat äidit groups meet in many different places all around Finland and new groups are started all the time. You can find more information about the group timetables on our Finnish page or asking directly from our team via email: kamalataidit@ywca.fi
If there isn’t any Kamalat äidit group in your city/your locality, you can start one yourself! Contact us at: kamalataidit@ywca.fi (to start a group, you need to do our on-line training first).
Follow us and share with others on social media, you can find here our main Facebook page and our multilingual Facebook page.

Kamalat äidit® operating model is a registered trademark since Autumn 2013. It is coordinated by The Finnish YWCA and funded by STEA.

Some feedback from the participants:

” This was a good way of pausing for me.” /“ The peer support was meaningful”.
“The peer support has made my life easier”. / ”I’m more kind towards myself”.
”You always get support, cheers, strength”. / ”I dared to speak in the group and I got strength from that”.

The image of a mother sacrificing all her dreams to her husband and children is an inspiring example. But what about you? You deserve your dreams. You’re a wonderful mother, and you’re also a wonderful woman.
Pam Brown

Terrible mothers -activities in English

Online orientation for new peer support group leaders: Next English one starts 29 Sep 2026
After participating in our orientation, you will be able to facilitate a group to support other mothers of teenagers. Groups can also be held online and/or in a different language. We offer group leader trainings in English once/twice a year and in Finnish about four times/year. We also organise additional training and recreational activities for our facilitators. Please see more info on this page!
Or call/whats app/e-mail: riikka.koola@ywca.fi, tel. 040 821 7894

Terrible Mothers – one evening workshop for international mothers Thu 28 May
Meeting place: Iso Omena Library in Matinkylä, Espoo
Thu 28 May 2026 at 17.30 – 19
Please register by 22 May by sending your details to the e-mail addresses below.
There will be a group in August-October, dates to be confirmed soon!
More info from facilitators Fon or Mehreen: fonfonvk@gmail.com, connect.with.mehreen@gmail.com

Terrible Mothers – group for both international and Finnish mothers in Helsinki
Meeting places: Luckan (Yrjönkatu 27, Kamppi, 3 times) and Oodi Central Library (2 times).
Meetings: Five Tuesday evenings 7 April, 21 April, 5 May, 19 May, 2 June 2026 at 18 – 19.30
Group is full, but you can ask possible cancellations from facilitators Elba and Gitika
(via riikka.koola@ywca.fi).

Online evening for all parents of teens: Love and boundaries, Tuesday 28 April 2026 at 17.30 – 19
Are you a father, mother or other guardian of a teenager or pre-teen? Please join us for an evening of peer support!

Let’s talk about love and boundaries, whether setting boundaries to your teen is an act of love, how to set the boundaries and why it can be difficult. You will also hear tips and give and receive peer support to and from other parents. This evening is confidential and is organized in Teams, by Terrible mothers.

More info from Riikka, riikka.koola@ywca.fi, tel./whats app 040 821 7894
Please enroll by 26 April here /We need 5 parents for this workshop to happen and max 15 parents can participate.

Would you like to be part of the Terrible Mothers activities?
Would you like to receive up-to-date information on our activities? Join our mailing list
(Don’t worry, we won’t fill your inbox by sending messages constantly!)
Join the Multilingual Terrible mothers’ Facebook page. We’ll keep you posted on upcoming events.