[blparent] meeting other parents and finding playdates

[January Lifebook]

I hitch myself along whereever, whenever I can.  I joined Meetup and the
happy thing about them is that most groups let you request events.  You can
say "let's meet up at the mall to play and have lunch!"  You can ask for
events that are near you.  I also go to library reading and play times.  I
go to playdates that are close to bus routes.  I have asked for rides to a
few of them, but I don't want to burden the group.  Meetup has multiple
groups, even in my middle sized town, there are 3-4 online moms groups
within Meetup.  If the one you found isn't working for you, search the site
and see if there is another one.  If you are breastfeeding, most hospitals
offer breastfeeding support groups.  I have met a few mom friends at one of
those.  Also, La Leche League is good on the breastfeeding group friends.
Finally, just hanging out where other moms are hanging out with their
kids... library, children's museum, play areas... I have found many other
moms who want to chat.
There are community organizations that offer mom and baby support or play
groups.  Here we have one at a birth center and one at a parent connection
group.
I have found it much easier to make new friends with a baby than I did
without one!
Good luck
January

On Fri, Sep 9, 2011 at 1:46 PM, Nikki Fugett-Dobens
<ndobens0623 at gmail.com>wrote:

> This is a really good suggestion.  I also plan to take Mackenzie to our
> local story time in the fall.
>
> -----Original Message----- From: Hai Nguyen Ly
> Sent: Friday, September 09, 2011 4:42 PM
>
> To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [blparent] meeting other parents and finding playdates
>
>
> Hello Ronit,
> My wife and I have been attending children reading hour at the local
> library which happens to be in walking distance. This particular library has
> a reading hour for babies/infants and one  for toddlers. In order to give
> Song time to socialize with other children, we try to attend both sessions.
> Needless to say, Song really enjoys looking at books and we usually try to
> check out a few new ones each week.
> Youme and I have found this to be a great resource for networking with
> local parents.
> We haven't sought out additional play dates outside of reading time, but I
> know that this will definitely happen soon enough.
> I would encourage you to check out whether or not similar opportunities
> exist at your local library.
>
> On Sep 9, 2011, at 3:58 PM, Ronit Ovadia Mazzoni wrote:
>
>  Hi everyone,
>> I have a question that I know some of you have experience with. I am
>> interested in meeting more parents in my area. I joined a group of moms
>> through meetup.com but all the meetups are either geared toward toddlers
>> or are far enough away that I can't walk there. I did attend one meetup and
>> asked for a ride from a mom. She was very nice and helped me get my carseat
>> in her car for my son. It was a hastle though. And I felt bad asking for a
>> ride. I offered her gas money but she wouldn't take it. I have met a few
>> moms in this group but haven't made any real connections with anyone so I
>> feel awkward about asking for rides to events. What have you done to find
>> playdates and to meet moms in your area? Any other websites besides
>> meetup.com that I should check out? How have you handled getting to
>> events that are not accessible via public transportation? The moms I've
>> talked to seem mildly sympathetic to my situation but most often don't want
>> to do things close to where I live. I've gotten together with one mom who
>> lives within walking distance and we've been out to lunch with our babies
>> but there's only so many times you can go to that same sandwich shop. :)
>>
>> I'm interested in your experiences. Thanks.
>> Ronit
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