Is anyone joining a local mom meetup group?

[babymcdonnell]

I've been searching through the local mom meetup groups and plan on joining one in the future. I have zero experience with babies or kids and have no other mom friends, so I think it would be a good for me.

There are a lot of groups out there so I know the experience all depends on which one I join. I'm just curious if anyone else is planning on doing this or has joined one before, and if so how was your experience and would you recommend it?

[cosmicturtlemama]

I was thinking of joining one, but I felt like I might have more luck finding people with similar interests and such if I joined a mom/parenting-related class I was interested in. I have a little experience with kids, but I dont have many friends that are parents. I definitely think its a good idea to connect with some people that can relate to your situations and are going through similar parts of their lives. Good Luck!!

[petrichor14]

I'm going to be joining a local mom facebook group that a few people have recommended to me. I feel a little weird about it because I'm a shy person and I'm not necessarily going to get along with random people just because they have kids too. It'll be a good resource for local parenting stuff regardless, but I don't really know how to go about meeting other moms who I actually like and have things in common with. I guess you just have to put yourself out there.

[ladyannibal]

I think it would be fun, however, I'm an awkward turtle so I'm probably not going to actually do it.

[queenofcats]

I'm incredibly socially awkward and shy in real life so probably not.

[wineandcake]

I went to a breast feeding group when Mac was tiny. It was nice, but he was younger than most the other babies so the other moms already knew each other and I felt awkward.

I went to another group when he was a bit older and made a couple friends. One was brand new to town and brought her childless sister with her, her sister wAs outgoing and was the one who got us talking.

I'm extremely socially awkward so I appreciate outgoing people who start conversations. I warm up quickly, but I'm too shy to start conversations. This time we're in the middle of nowhere so mom groups are limited and really cliquey. One of my best friends is due 3 weeks before me though so I have someone to do things with.

[babymcdonnell]

I'm shy as well ... and find it hard to find people I actually "click" with... I guess nothing negative would come out of trying it out though. Thanks for the other suggestions @justinslovo! (Not sure if that's gonna actually tag)

[danious]

I joined one through meetup.com when I was on my maternity leave with DS. Best thing I ever did. I didn't know anyone with new babies and I met an amazing group of women I'm still close to 5 years later. One of my best friends came from that group.
I'm pretty shy and it was a huge step for me to to actually show up. But everyone was incredibly nice. It was a brand new group for babies under 6 months and we realized that all of us had the same nervousness about meeting each other.
Eta cuz I posted too soon.
Our first meet up, we ended up staying at the coffee shop from 10-4. All of us we desperate to be around people going through the same thing! DS was only 5 weeks old.
Those girls became my village. We watched each other's kids, cried and laughed and drank together. Even when I went back to work, we managed to stay close. I honestly don't know what I would have done without them.
Trust me. It's so beyond worth it to try and make that move! I know how hard it is and you might not find a group right away, but it's worth it to try

[yelah250]

When my two kids were little (babies and toddlers), I met parents through activities and preschool. It gets so much easier as they get older if they are in activities because you will spend a lot of time sitting there waiting for them and it's makes the the pass if you chat with the other moms. Also, don't know if it's an option, but moving to a neighborhood with lots of little ones makes things so much easier and fun as far as parenting goes (in my experience). There are 15 kids who live in our cul de sac and it's a blast for the kids.

[lindslew91011]

I looked into this and the only groups I found around me are religion based. We are not religious so that puts a damper on things. I'm hoping that as the twins are born and we do different activities with them, I'll get to meet more people.

[LydiaDeetz]

My local La Leche League finally updated their website and I'm going to my first meeting Feb. 4. Hoping to meet some women with similar attitudes on this board!

[imavera]

Check to see if there's a local Facebook group for moms in your area. You'll get a lot of resources there, including groups in the area. I'm in our local MOMS Club, as well as MOPS (which is religious, but not overly so that it bothers me). I also started attending LLL while I was pregnant which is where I've met some of my really great friends. From there, it evolved to our weekly playgroup and now homeschool groups. We're pretty busy

I'm pretty socially awkward at first, too, but I forced myself to put myself out there. I've had a few not awesome experiences, but I've found my tribe now. It was worth the trial and error!

[CALEO]

Jan 17, 2015 15:52:48 GMT -5 petrichor14 said:

I'm going to be joining a local mom facebook group that a few people have recommended to me. I feel a little weird about it because I'm a shy person and I'm not necessarily going to get along with random people just because they have kids too. It'll be a good resource for local parenting stuff regardless, but I don't really know how to go about meeting other moms who I actually like and have things in common with. I guess you just have to put yourself out there.

This.

[catladymeow]

I was planning on joining a few groups through meetup.com. I'm socially awkward, but I don't have any mom friends and maternity leave is going to be a lonely time if I don't.

[kasiaskis]

I've been thinking about doing something like this. I moved to a new city just over a year ago and I've had a really hard time finding and connecting with people here. I might join a Facebook group when I'm a little further along, but for now im thinking of taking a prenatal yoga class and see if I can get to know some moms to be that way.

[tiamiaxx]

Jan 17, 2015 15:55:59 GMT -5 @justinslovo said:

I found a group that seemed so awesome, but I could never bring myself to just show up and say "hi". I think the best way to meet moms are public opportunities. I know it is hard when you have a tiny little one, but I found library time (free), swim lessons, and gymnastics class. I started going to mommy and me classes as soon as she was old enough and I have met some ladies that I know will be life long friends! Also you may find a breastfeeding or baby wearing group to join for the earlier months. There is still that first jump to join an established group of people that scares me though. Good luck!

I'm going to try do this too. II wasn't so good with DD but will try again with upcoming sports teams. This motivated me!

[mtsue]

Our local mom groups mainly meet during the workday but I'm hoping to go during maternity leave and meet some people. I'm also hoping to meet people in our birth classes that start next month. I'm glad to hear there are others going to LLL meetings while pregnant...I was going to start next month but was wondering if that would be wierd pre-baby!

[ashiscute]

I joined a group through meetup.com. It was actually a great way to meet friends. They have three or four events scheduled each week so it's easy to find stuff to do with the kids. I'm actually headed to a moms night out now with them!

I think becoming a new mom can be very isolating and it can be intimidating to talk to women you don't know. It seems way harder than dating! I know the group was easy for me because everyone was sort of on the same page.

[bookitup]

I'm pretty much a homebody, so I have trouble getting out to groups when I could be at home. But I did join a local FB group for cloth diapering, and I sometimes go to those gatherings. DH also has a couple friends with kids, so we get together once in a blue moon and go to the park or something. I plan on taking DS to the Children's Museum, park, and pool more often now that he's older so hopefully he'll get more socialization with other kids.

[sandybananas]

I am part of one! I tried a few with my first but none were the right fit. I tried again after DD was born and found one that was more concentrated for my neighborhood area for kids born in her "year" and it has been awesome!! I am also in MOPs which I like and have met local friends through DSs preschool. There are a ton of great ways to meet people, however you do it.

[fortunecookie2014]

I'm planning to find one at the strong recommendation of a couple good friends who are moms. One found her group through her hospital, and I think the other through a community PEPS group. I'll ask around. I want to have a strong support network, and avoid feeling isolated. Plus, I have so much to learn! And it can't hurt to meet more people here (we just moved here a couple years ago).

[errsbear11]

Besides meetup and facebook, how do you all find these groups/classes? I live in an extremely rural area, but will be moving in a couple months - to an even more rural area (actually between two, so I can't even plan). I don't have any friends with children, and my family all lives many hours away, so I'm really worried about support and meeting new friends while having a LO. I'd love to have friends with similar lifestyles for once...this pregnancy is proving quite difficult as none of my friends are married, most dont have careers and dont live on their own, and none have or want kids.

[bookitup]

Jan 17, 2015 19:02:34 GMT -5 errsbear11 said:

Besides meetup and facebook, how do you all find these groups/classes? I live in an extremely rural area, but will be moving in a couple months - to an even more rural area (actually between two, so I can't even plan). I don't have any friends with children, and my family all lives many hours away, so I'm really worried about support and meeting new friends while having a LO. I'd love to have friends with similar lifestyles for once...this pregnancy is proving quite difficult as none of my friends are married, most dont have careers and dont live on their own, and none have or want kids.

I live in a rural area too, and there aren't a lot of online groups. I guess I would just visit places where moms will be, like the park, libraries, baby stores, pools, etc., and ask if there are any local moms groups since you just moved to town.

[caymarks]

I am a part of a small group of moms but I already knew a few of them from school. Its a new group so there are only about 5-6 moms plus children involved right now but there are 3 of us having babies this year. (Jan, Feb and July) It should be fun to get all the babies together.

[yelah250]

If you are crunchy, the la Leche league would be good - typically even rural communities have meetings.

The pool is great over the summer. The gym has typically 2 hours of free child care / day so most of my SAHM friends go and work out with their friends mid-morning. Lol

[wells2010]

I'm really not good at making new friends. I probably should join one since we are moving (and I won't know anyone), but I probably won't. I did go to a breastfeeding support group after I had my daughter, which was great. It was sponsored by the hospital where I delivered her, so it felt less awkward. Some of the moms were definitely outerspace weird, or just not my type to interact with. A few of them were very nice though and I enjoyed talking with them. I had to stop going because I had to go back to work at 8 weeks PP. Otherwise, I probably would have kept going for as long as I could, even though DD didn't really have any problems with feeding. After this baby, I can't see myself going to the same group since I won't have anyone to look after DD and we'll be living about 45 minutes away.

[kathol]

I will not be doing this. Like many of the ladies mentioned I am a little shy & I don't necessarily like people. I will take advantage in meeting other moms IRL, like at the doctor, kids stores etc. I hope to formulate some type of support mom group from this.

[emeraldeyed315]

I'm no good at the planned meet ups. Randomly talking to moms I meet is easier...at parks, baby yoga, library classes. Gives my awkward self time to warm up.

[estamos_tomamos]

Jan 17, 2015 19:19:51 GMT -5 bookitup said:

Jan 17, 2015 19:02:34 GMT -5 errsbear11 said:

Besides meetup and facebook, how do you all find these groups/classes? I live in an extremely rural area, but will be moving in a couple months - to an even more rural area (actually between two, so I can't even plan). I don't have any friends with children, and my family all lives many hours away, so I'm really worried about support and meeting new friends while having a LO. I'd love to have friends with similar lifestyles for once...this pregnancy is proving quite difficult as none of my friends are married, most dont have careers and dont live on their own, and none have or want kids.

I live in a rural area too, and there aren't a lot of online groups. I guess I would just visit places where moms will be, like the park, libraries, baby stores, pools, etc., and ask if there are any local moms groups since you just moved to town.

I'm also rural, but not so far from the city that I can't drive to meetups. I've been thinking about looking for an atheist/agnostic mommy group because I think it would be nice to have some like-minded friends, and it's hard to find that in my area. I grew up in church and the only thing I miss about it is the volunteer work and sense of community. I think it would be nice to be able to have a local group of people to build something like that with, just without the religious aspect.

[lukyduky7]

I found local baby wearing and beach community "mommy crew" for my area through Facebook like others have mentioned!..however have yet to actually attend a meet up since many of the posts are 50/50 with vaccinating vs not vaccinating their little ones. I am super protective over daughter not wanting her to come down with preventative diseases Especially with the local outbreak in our area. Good ol' Disneyland...the measles count went from a few to 50 in the matter of a few weeks. It is scary to me so no baby mingling with strangers for awhile until I can get MMR vaccine for daughter.