5 Things Only A SoBo Mom Can Relate To

When you hear, “I need a passport to cross the Sea Link”, you know that’s a townie (someone from South Mumbai) speaking.

Think that is obnoxious? I must admit, it isn’t intentional! Mumbai is obsessed with names. Bombay changed to Mumbai, VT changed to CST, but you simply cannot dare change the word, South Bombay. The name comes with a lot of history, typical traits, pride and literally sums up living in that area. 

For starters, I was born and bred in this city and I’m not guilty to call myself a townie. SoBo moms are a small, tightly knit community that have similar lives. Here, money speaks louder than words. But I must say, mostly it’s old money… so it comes subtly and with some class….I think. 

Here is what every South Bombay Mom is thinking: 

What typically defines a SoBo mom? 

 1. Admission fever starts from- you heard it right- playschools! 

Here’s a look at how moms feel about admissions. They march down angrily to check if their kid got in the ‘preferred’ school or not. 

Yes- right from play schools, the battle begins! There is a constant chatter among groups on the preference and the alumni kids from prestigious schools and parents even attend multiple interview-training classes to secure a seat in their desired school. When you hear a mom whispering, “Did you apply to Cathedral John Connon School” when the child hits one, you know the mom is from South Bombay. The obsession is not with the school, but with all the reputation it holds because your child’s social life depends on it. 

2. A typical weekend for a SoBo mom:

You may think they possibly cannot look like this in a garden at a club! But no, a typical weekend for a Sobo mom with kids would be either by the lawns in CCI or by the poolside at the Breach Candy club. These are members-only clubs but you will see almost an entire SoBo mom community here every weekend. We are not kidding, they are always dressed to kill!

3. Suburbs- well – what are they?

This expression is common when you ask a townie to come to the so-called ‘burbs’. Suburbs are never urban enough for a SoBo mom and it is very tough to get them to cross over the sea link. I’m sure when you ask a SoBo mom to come to Andheri, she will negotiate with you and come to Bandra – because that’s the farthest she can go! 

4. A close-knit group:

South Mumbai is so small, that, of course, everybody knows everybody. It’s so tight that you could walk into a room and you would feel that there is only a 2 degree of separation between people. You can see and smell South Bombay moms from afar – they walk, talk, wear the same clothes. More like, they wear the same brand of perfumes. You can call it the clickity click group! 

When you ask a mom if she’s from Bandra, her quick reaction is NO. I’m a townie! – as if its an ultimate insult! (True- SoBo moms do that!)

However, the close-knit community always watches out for other moms and help them through their school admissions and more. South Mumbai could be a place where geography decides the pedigree, but these hands-on moms always look out for each other and make parenting look super fashionable!

Don’t forget to share this with a SoBo mom who, we think, will agree with this! Got any more to add? We love hearing from you! Talk to us in the comments below!