Meeting Other Moms

I second meetup.com. There wasn't a group in my area so I started one and within a couple weeks 43 moms had joined! Now this is not to say I have made wonderful relationships with 43 moms, some have never come to one meeting, but at least it was a step in the right direction. There are 4-5 moms that joined the group that I have clicked so well with! It is awesome to see my daughter playing so well with other children. One of these moms is also about to have her second a couple of weeks before I'm due, so it's great to already have a playmate on hand for baby 2. haha

MOPS is great if you have any kids younger than Kindergarden. Check their website for something close to you. Library storytimes are fun and check your local hospital to see if they know of any resources - the lactation consultant might be the best to ask. Good luck!

I met my mommy friends through MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) and just know - it is hard! We all crave friends and especially ones that our hubbies could like each other!! Just try people that he works with, MOMS Night Out with moms from a childs school, even neighbors!

I was in the same boat!! Looks for moms clubs! Try www.meetup.com and search for moms groups/clubs in your area, that is how I have met all my mom friends and now have made wonderful, lasting friendships!

Also, check if your city offers any children's/toddler/baby classes or enrichment programs, the cost is usually very reasonable.

Good luck!!

Meetup.com has lots of great groups to choose from
Yahoo groups are also active in the area
MOPS groups (usually held at churches)
BigTent.com

There's also classes and stuff through BCC that parents can meet through.

One good option is to simply start going for walks in your neighborhood with your kid(s). You'll meet people that way who also have little kids. Go to a neighborhood (or nearby) park.

Yup, I feel the same way and I've been doing the SAHM thing for four years here. Ugh. It certainly does feel like dating! But you'll have to become a joiner. Join local moms groups, join a PEPs group, join Little Gym or whatever with your little one/ones and go to indoor playgrounds, etc. Just get out there and do things with the kids and you're likely to meet new people. Your local community center is a great place to start and also look at Overlake hospital for baby/parent classes. They have them at Evergreen, but not sure what they have at Overlake... Hang in there and I hope you meet some people!

Out shopping, kids' extracurriculars, online, bible studies, small bar, coffee joint, join a gym, book club, take a class, volunteer where you have interests ie animal shelter, hospital, library, schools. Lots to do. What do you like to do? Then when ya come across someone you think you like talk it up a bit.
Eventually exchange email or phone numbers.
For me the key is the situation has to warrent repeated contact ovr period of time. I can't just meet a person in JCP and become lunch buddies. It takes time but as long as you're putting yourself among people you'll find friends to hang with. Mine are my kids' friends parents or were and now parents still friends kids could care less.

The National Moms Club

I'd like to see the responses here. We're relatively new in our area and I'm a SAHM of a lovely 17 month old boy. I tried to join reading time at the library but I can't get a library card without a Cali license which I don't have (I have a British Passport and a Canadian license lol) so they wouldn't let us join. There is NOTHING on the Culver City webpage and we do not attend church. No clue how to meet other SAHMs of similarly aged children!

Hi L.,

I would cast another vote for a MOPS group. I'm involved with the one at Overlake Christian Church in Redmond, and it's been great! Moms come to the meetings, and children go to age-appropriate programs (babies 6 months and under stay with mom). It's a great way to meet other moms who are in the same season of life! We have mentors, guest speakers and creative activities at the meetings.

Our childcare has a waiting list right now, but moms can still register if you have another childcare option (like kiddos in a preschool program or babies young enough to stay with you). And there are other chapters in the area as well, if you want to try to find a group with openings in child care.

mops.org to find other groups
occ.org/mops for the OCC group

Or send me a personal message if you'd like more information.

Best wishes! I know being a SAHM can be isolating.

This is a little late but you can also look into the MOMS Club www.momsclub.org. It's an international club that has chapters everywhere. I happen to be in Michigan, but was in a similar situation. So glad to have found the MOMS Club. I've been the president of our chapter for the last two years. Great group of ladies!

Do you attend church? Lots of great connections there. Also, do you have a Mother's and More chapter in your location? Check the internet for their locations. You can also try the school your kids attend. A lot of mom's there look to connect. Volunteer for the PTA.

Hi L.,

I'm not sure how old your son is but there are lots of classes at Birth and Beyond in Seattle. They are all drop-in classes where you can ask questions (there is an awesome facilitator named Ann Keppler - google her), benchmark with other parents, meet other parents, let your kid play with other kids, etc.

Check out their website at: http://www.birthandbeyond.com/allclasses.html. They also just started a drop-in play group MWF 3-5pm (free). Moms from all over Seattle area come to these classes/groups. They're great! It's sort of like an informal drop-in PEPS group (something else you might want to look into).

Good luck! Seattle can be a pretty unfriendly place! :)