Finding Mom's Groups

bridz2be

Although I'm returning to work mid-March, I'm interested in maybe finding a mom's group or something to attend with Ella while I'm off - eventually playdates in the future, but something more for me since we're not ready for that yet! I guess I'm not sure how to go about this since I'm out of the central PA area and none of our friends down here have kids yet. I might check out the Maryland bump boards, but they are DC and Baltimore, and in my past searches, there are people basically all across the state and it isn't a tight-knit group like we have here. Any good websites for finding groups?

Also, I guess I kind of feel like the mom groups/playdates are tight-knit groups of moms who attend regularly. I'm afraid that I'd probably feel like an outsider, especially if only attending through March and then maybe during the summer again. Thoughts? 

Thanks! 

rsweethart

I went through this website https://www.themommiesnetwork.org/ and went to "Find a Group" to see what was in my area.  I really like the group in my area and I like that there isn't any fees and you aren't forced to attend events.  You can also check out www.cafemom.com and search for mommy groups in your area, but I didn't have much luck there.   

innerpeace

There are lots of groups on meetup.com.  I got a lot of info for groups in my prenatal yoga class and from the hospital.  Did you get anything like that in the hospital?  It was in the mountain of overwhelming paperwork that we got.

PAAZwife

I also recommend meetup.com.  I was in a similar situation as you where I was going back to work full time from part time a few months after I joined the group, but I really just needed something to get me out of the house.  I was fortunate enough to find a group of women who had just started a group so there weren't any cliques formed yet.  All the moms in the group were first time moms of babies born within a few months of one another, so we were all going through the same things that the same times and could really use each other for listening and advice.  Even working full time, I've been able to get to events at least 1/month to maintain my connections so that it isn't awkward when I have longer breaks from teaching to attend more events.

I'd recommend trying to find a newer group with moms of younger (< 1 year) kids as this will probably be your best bet for finding what you are looking for.  Good luck!

PennyLane06

innerpeace:

Did you get anything like that in the hospital?

I was going to suggest this as well. I know Hershey here has a BFing group and a Mom group . . neither of which I sadly was able to make the time to visit while I was on leave but really wish I would have.

Christina617

I agree about checking your hospital info to see if there is one.  I love the one we attend.  I went weekly during maternity leave and about once a month since then.  It's been wonderful to be there with moms of babies a similar age.