How did you connect with other parents?

[Mariah]

I am a 30 year old mom to a seven month old. None of my friends, family or co workers have babies or live close by. I would like to have the opportunity to meet with and talk to other parents who have children my son's age.That's one of the reasons I joined this site. I really don't think I want to join a group like gymboree or stroller strides.(Which seems to be the only option I have been able to find) So I was looking for some suggestions on how to find playgroups or other parents with kids my son's age.

[barbara]

Hi Mariah. I found a great bunch of moms throught the mommy & me at the Kaiser hospital where my son was born. Have you checked with your local hospitals? Also I met some moms through Meetup.com. Good luck! Barbara

[T-Rex]

When my son started walking, we started to go to a "tumbling" class through the city parks department. Haven't made any real friends yet, but it's fun to chat and my son loves to run around and over the ramps, balance beams, etc.

[Jes]

I would love some sugestions too, I'm 34 with a 2.5 month old & in the same boat. I joined the local mommy's group but have so little in common with moms there that it's ending up being even more discouraging.

[Toni]

Im with you I have a hard time finding other moms I can relate to. So if you are in Oregon give me a shout!!!

[Courtney Apgar]

I'm in the same boat. It's so tough to meet people, especially when you're suddenly unreliable and constantly distracted!

I've met people in my area by googling local new parents mailing groups. I also take walks during the day and strike up conversations with parents I meet.

[Mariah]

Well thanks for your advice. At least I am not the only one who has had trouble with this. I am a first time mom and I guess I just thought it would be easy to find other mom's with kids my age. I will have to keep looking.

[Wendy Gleason]

I am in a similar situation. We have no family where we live and if I didn't find some Mom's groups, I don't know what I would have done! Try meetup.com for a group in your area and also check out www.mops.org. this is a christian moms group. Maybe you can find one in your area. Good luck!

[SAEBausch]

You are certainly not the only one. I can't make myself join a Mommy and me group or anything like it...it just seems like something I would HATE. Kind of like the forced fun at all-inclusive results...uck. I could be completely wrong though. I haven't really tried much, but just walking around my neighborhood I see a lot of moms with babies my Elijah's age. At the coffee shop down the street from me, at the pizza place, just walking, I just need to get up the guts to sit down and introduce myself. Remember when you were a kid and it was so easy to just go up to someone and ask "will you be my friend?". Good luck!

[Jeanne Sager]

I met a lot of moms at story hour at the local library - most libraries have a Mother Goose hour for the youngest set. They don't care that the kids can't really follow a story and be quiet yet - it's more about them hearing language, being in a social setting and getting out of the house!

[Hani]

Hi Mariah,
I spent the summer taking care of my 16m nephew while my sister worked in a new town. One of the best ways for us to meet other parents was by going to the neighborhood parks during the day. Even though your 7mo might be too young, many of the parents at the parks have older children who are playing, while they are caring for young babies like yours. You might be able to meet parents with experience, in that case!

And my sister actually has met people just being in Babies R Us and not being shy about talking to them!
Also, Jeanne's suggestion about the library is great. Our local library had a huge kids section and there were so many parents and children who were extremely open and friendly.
Hope that helps!
Hani

[Eibhleann's Mommy]

Thanks for all the info. I had never heard of meetup.com, but I found a local family group that meets several times a month. I love taking my daughter to the library, too. She doesn't know how to read, yet, but I make a habit of going to the library and my favorite bookstore and browse around for awhile with her so she can see all the books. I haven't met any other moms there, yet, but it could happen. I'll have to check out a store hour there.

[Sandi]

Hi Mariah,

I was longing for companions for myself and son after his birth in 2006. Like you, none of my friends and family were close by. I actually found a mommy and me group through Meetup.com right as it was forming. I am now a co organizer of the group and we have a great time with the other moms and kiddos. You may want to check there or consider starting your own meetup group. It took our group a bit of time to grow our schedule from a weekly playdate at the park or at a home to music, movement and art classes that the moms put together.

If you'd like to check out what we do, go to meetup.com and type in mommy & me. We are the Antelope Valley Hip Mommas. Our About Us page is a bit lengthy but sets the tone for the group and most of it was "borrowed" (yes, we asked permission) from the Tempe Sweet Peas.