FAQ

Q: I am not British or American. Can I still join the VBC?

A: Membership in the Vienna Babies Club is open to all expat mothers who find themselves living in Vienna, often far from home. While we divide the groups up based on ages of the children, it is primarily a support group for the mothers. We also offer a variety of other social activities so that the mothers have more than one option in meeting other mothers.

Q: What language is spoken at the meetings?

English is the common language used. While we hope mothers of the same nationality or mother-tongue will find each other, visit, and even form their own Social Activity group, English is the working language at all group meetings so as not to cause anyone to feel "left out" by not being able to understand the conversations. We want all new mothers to feel comfortable when attending meetings, especially for the first time.

Q: Will attending my VBC Mothers' Group help my child learn English?

If your child is already being brought up speaking English, then our groups can complement his/her English development through exposure to other English speakers. However, the VBC does not provide any formal English instruction. Again, we are primarily a support group for parents.

Q: I just moved to Vienna and want to join your Club.  What do I need to do?

A: First, please look around our website a bit under the What We Offer section to learn more about the VBC. To join follow the directions on our How to Join page. We will forward your information on to the appropriate Group Coordinator who will be in touch with you about your group's next meeting.

Q: I have lived in Vienna already for many years and have a social network. Why do I need an support network of other expat women?

A: Well, honestly you might not. On the other hand, we have a number of mothers who, despite being very established in life in Vienna, join the VBC to connect with other mothers who share a common culture or language. Perhaps the novelty and unknowns of being pregnant for the first time cause some women to reach out to other mothers of similar backgrounds. Or maybe none of your friends are having babies and you want to find other expectant mothers.  Also, whether you have been here for five days or five years, the VBC offers a wealth of information on resources available to mothers and for babies and kids in Vienna. Just have a look around our site and you will see that!

Q: How much does it cost to join?

A: There is a one-time joining fee of Euro 30 per pregnancy (so even if you are having triplets you still only pay Euro 30!). You can pay at the Monthly Meeting, your Group Coordinator, or by bank transfer (email info@viennababiesclub.com for details).

Q: Can Fathers join?

A: Yes, we actually have a few expat fathers already as members. The requirement here is that it is the father who is the primary care-giver and who will be attending the meetings with the child/ren. Again, we are a support group for expat mothers living in Vienna and who have babies or small children. It is the stay-at-home parent who needs the help. If you are a dad who is filling this very important role and who needs a group such as ours, please do contact us.

Q: I am back at work and can't attend morning meetings. Does the VBC offer anything for me?

A: We are in the process of soliciting volunteers to organize other social activities for members that may or may not include children. While the Mothers' Groups do typically meet in the morning, many also organize Mothers' Nights Out. It is possible also, that you volunteer to host your group at a time that is convenient for you, but that also would be suitable for the other mothers in your group. Remeber that if there is an activity that you would like to see offered to all members, you are more than welcome to organize it!

Q: My kids are all in primary school already. Is the VBC only for babies?

While our group is called the Vienna Babies Club, we really are a support network for the mothers. There is a tendency for the Mothers' Groups not to meet so much once the kids start Kindergarten and some mothers go back to work. However, some of our oldest groups (2002, 2003) still meet on a regular basis. We also hope that our other social activities and district groups will provide some options for mothers such as yourself.

Q: Do you need/Can I volunteer?

A: We are always looking for volunteers to do a variety of things for the VBC.  Some tasks need constant work while others are sporadic. Please visit our Volunteer section for more information.

Q: How can I advertise my product or service to VBC members?

A: The majority of doctors, hospitals, classes, links, products, etc. that we list on our site are recommended first hand by our VBC members. That does not mean that they are all endorsed by the VBC as a club. Rather, we try to provide some basic information for our members to help them get started when it come to finding something or someone, be it kid's furniture or a pediatrician. If you have a business or a product that you think would be of interest to us, please email us information at info@viennababiesclub.com. We will then have a look at it and decide whether or not it would be of value to our members. If you are a VBC member, then please follow the instructions in your weekly Notices.

Q: What's up with the different English spellings on this site?

A: Lots of laughter! Well, we have members from all over the world and some speak "American" while others "British," some speak "Australian" or "Canadian." Different information on this site has come from different people who have volunteered their time and energy to research and write about a particular topic. Also, over the years our Webmistresses will change hands and more than likely each will be from different countries. We are not about to start editing the entire site any time this happens. We decided to show our diversity in leaving the varied spellings as they may be. Oh, and don't get us started on "Moms" vs. "Mums!" We are all Mothers and in this together!