Whoever said that once you have kids you'll never be lonely again was wrong. You'll never be alone again, true enough. But lonely? You will be lonely, and then some. It's one of those facts of motherhood that is seldom talked about. Loneliness is not the conventionally accepted perception of motherhood, after all. Big bear hugs, after-school snacks, coupon-clipping and cargo pants, sure.  Self-doubt, boredom, anger and frustration, no.  That is not what comes to mind when one thinks of motherhood, but that is a part of the whole package.  And no one understands this quite like another mother.

Moms groups are different from play groups. They are about putting mothers' issues and needs first. In a good Mom's group, Moms listen to, support, and care about each other, and about each other's kids. If you're a mom - especially of young children - listen up. Here are the top 5 reasons why you should think about joining a Mom's group today.

5. Moms need play dates, too.

All work and no play makes Mommy want to jump into oncoming traffic.  Moms need breaks.  Play dates, if you will, for grown-ups.  Mom's groups are fantastic for this.  Martini parties, brunch dates, group spa days, you name it.  There is just something fun about hanging out with a group of your friends who "get it." 

4, You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours.

Moms are a talented bunch.  Have 20 relatives flying in for a family reunion? Schedule a cooking party, get an assembly line going, and soon you'll have a neat stack of 8 casseroles wrapped and ready for your freezer (don't forget to keep wine flowing).

Same thing goes for helping your fellow moms.  Maybe you're a former math teacher, and a fellow group member's kid is struggling with Algebra.  Step up.  Have a green thumb?  Offer to help plant annuals for a group member who is pregnant and can't do it herself.  You get the idea,  In a good group, what goes around truly comes around.  You will find that small kindnesses are paid back in great and unexpected ways.  How cool is that?

3. Understanding it's not "just you."

One awesome things about a Mom's group is that you can open up about sensitive topics in a  supportive environment.  The best groups are sounding boards for all kinds of issues, from bed-wetting and nail-biting to personal finance and marital strife.  Chances are one of your mom friends is going through or has gone through what you're facing.  You're not alone.  This alone may be what helps you put on your big-girl panties and deal.  Knowing that your girls are there to get your back makes you think that maybe non-washable crayon on freshly-painted walls is not the end of the world, after all.

2. It really does "take a village."

Hillary Clinton was on to something in her 1996 book "It Takes a Village: And Other Lessons Children Teach Us."  No one can do the job of mothering all alone.  If you have family around to help you out, good for you, Still, your mom friends "get it" in a way that sometimes the most well-meaning grandma cannot (and chances are your friends won't be as critical of your housekeeping).

Moms group events often include kids.  It might not seem like a big deal, but 10 extra sets of eyes watching your kid on the playground can be a lifesaver.  This is never more true than on the day you are mentally multi-tasking while your youngest dangles precariously from the monkey bars. 

1. Laughter is the best medicine (next to 'scrip meds, of course).

Okay, laughter is the best medicine next to Lexapro.  And margaritas.  And shopping.  But seriously, on the day when you can't get the poo smell out from under your fingernails, you need someone to make you laugh to keep you from crying.  That's where Mom's group pals come in handy.  If your group has an online message board, all the better.  Insert drama here, and prepare to laugh at the responses you get.

If you're sold on the fact that you need to join a local Mom's group, there are many resources out there for you.  My personal favorite is Meetup.com (www.meetup.com).  Meetup is a fantastic resource for connecting people with similar interests on a local level.  You just follow the prompts to create or join the type of group that you are looking for in your area. 

All Meetup.com groups have an organizer, an individual group web page, easy-to-use calendar and RSVP features, and message boards.  You can even set email alerts for newly formed local groups.

Best of luck, and remember that though the job of mothering is tough, you're not the only one out there doing it.  Why not make some friends and consume some margaritas along the way?