Seeking Either New Moms or Experienced Moms for Support/friendship

K., there's a yahoo group for Logan Square Parents. I'm not on it but my husband is. I think it's more for local events, rather than strictly social, but you may be able to make some connections through it, or use it to organize a play group: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PSNLS/

My namd is Jen and I also live in Logan Square, but my childen are 6 and 3. If you are interested in getting together, let me know. I also work full time and know how challenging it is to raise a child in the city.

Hi K., Congratulations on the birth of your little girl. I know those first few weeks can be difficult, so it's great that you're reaching out to other moms. I have a 16 month old boy and I work full-time, so a playgroup probably wouldn't work, but I'd be happy to correspond with you and answer any of your questions. My e-mail address is ____@____.com, have you heard of the Northside Parents Network? It's a great resource for finding playgroups, babysitters, schools, etc. They actually have listings of organized play groups and new mom groups by Zip Code so you can pair up with other new moms in your area. I joined a new moms group shortly after my son was born and it was a great experience. The Web site is www.npnparents.org. It's $40 or so per year to join but I've found it to be VERY helpful. Good luck and don't hesitate to contace me.

Being a new mom is tough! My son was born last Feb (he is 14 months now) and I had no idea how much work it would be. It gets so much easier - I promise! I never thought I would feel like this because the beginning was so trying - Are you nursing? If so, la leche holds a meeting on Fridays at a Cafe in Logan Square. They were very supportive and helpful and I met a few moms at the beginning when I felt clueless and isolated!

Hi K.!

I'm a first time older mom. My daughter turned one in March. I also am looking for friendship. I moved to the city 3 years ago. I live by North and Western, so we're close. I also had to return to work when my daughter was 7 weeks old. I know what it feels like.

Feel free to contact me at ____@____.com if you want to get together.

J.

Hello Again!

I felt the same way...even with several friends with babies. I felt isolated mostly because I was the only one of the group to nurse. Feel free to reach out to me. My son is 9.5 months old and for a variety of reasons the last 9.5 months have been a rollercoaster. I live in Lincoln Square and am currently a recession funded stay at home mom. I also try to attend mother's groups. My favorite is the mommy meetup at Bloom Yoga Studio. They meet once a month. When I was working I was working on getting a mom's group together in the evenings for working/pumping/nursing moms. That can be a HUGE challenge and support is the only way to get through it. BeByBaby also has some play group times and and Attachment Parenting group. There are a lot of resources out there, it just takes some time to locate them while getting yourself into a nice routine with you new little one. again, feel free to reach out to me. Also mamasource is a great resource. You'll get a lot of very helpful feedback from the other moms out there. Good Luck and be good to yourself..You're a brand new mom!!!!

I don't live in the city, but just wanted to offer you encouragement. You are early in the game and it is quite an overwhelming experience. I remember having my first and wondering how I would ever be able to have any more children. I now have 4 kids....would never have guessed at the time. Hang in there! I am happy to offer anything that I can.

Hey there! I am a more experienced mom who exclusively breastfed both my kids, my girl is 4 and my son is 13 months. I live close to Midway but can travel up your way too. I know how much effort it takes to get out of the house sometimes! Especially when you're a new breastfeeder! Email me if you want to get together!! ____@____.com

Hey K.,

I'm a M. of two girls (3 years old, 2.5 months) and am also happy to help you out with any questions you may have. I live in Ukranian Village and have a great network of friends. Also, one of my girlfriends runs a 'new moms' group which is a WONDERFUL thing! She is also a M. of two girls(similar in age to mine) and enjoys helping out new moms! If you are interested, email me privately and I will connect you to my friend and perhaps you can join her group!

Good for you for reaching out.....it makes a tremendous difference to have support!

Alexa
p.s. she lives in Lincoln Park and I think the group usually meets there as well!

Hi, K. - I'm a second time mom. My first is 3.5 and my son was born 3.26. I exclusively bf and cloth diaper and wear the baby a lot, too. My first was very high needs, but this one just needs a boob, a place to sleep and a dry diaper! I return to work full time in Sept. I just turned 39 on 4.3

You can reach me at ____@____.com (no spaces).

PS I'm in Hyde Park.

K.:

look at the things available at www.bellybumboutique.com

P., RLC, IBCLC
Breastfeeding and Parenting Solutions

I am in bridgeport and a stay at home Mom, I have a son who is 8 months, I have been feeling isolated, I would love to get together during the week, I live near a very nice park that i take my son in his stroller and walk around. Please email me, ____@____.com I don't have a car, but could take the bus to meet you somewhere also.

Hi K.,

I am in the burbs, but if you have questions, I would be happy to pass along my experiences to you. I am the mother of 4, a girl(who was 6 on 3/15), a 4yr old boy, a 2 yr old boy, and a 7.5 month old boy. Having your 1st is tough, and I benefited from having cousins with older kids that I could turn to - it's always nice to hear that you aren't alone. Anyway, email me if you would like!

Good luck!

J.

Hi K.,
I knew there would be a lot of posts back to you because most of us have been right where you are and it helps to hear that it is all okay.
I am 30 and have a 21 month old son, whom I nursed for 13 months, and went back to work in corporate america after a 3 month maternity leave. I also thought I was prepared for all of the good and the bad when it came to my son, and the adjustment period, but I was sorely mistaken. A lot more is affected by having a baby than you ever think will be. I am not a suzie home-maker type but I have a lot of love to give and I thought that would get me through. When I realized I needed more support and encouragement then that (and my husband) I went searching. The first thing I did, which I highly reccommend, is going to your local maternity ward at your hospital - the same department that held the prenatal courses also has post-partum meetings. I went to Prentice since I live downtown and they have nurses that care for the babies while the moms meet for 1 1/2 hours and just talk it all out. It was SO helpful for me because my son was very colicky and fussy so I didn't feel comfortable leaving him with anyone that couldn't handle that. I also joined the River North Moms Group (my neighborhood) and although I don't really attend a lot of thir functions I met 3 really great ladies through it and we do a playgroup together. You can find a lot of groups through NPN (Northshore Parents Network) which I'm sure has a neighborhood group by you and then also new moms events. Bubbles Academy also has a new moms group if you're interested - and the East Bank Club has a pretty nice childcare center for new babies while you get a little R&R or excercise. Don't be afraid to talk to other moms either...you'd be amazed at how helpful a random mom can be with words of encoragement.
Also, pumping at work is something to think about if you intend to do it. I did and it was quite an ordeal so I suggest calling your HR person ahead of time to make sure they have something arranged for you that is private and has an electrical outlet (and chair). I ended up in a handicapped restroom with a chair and table pushed aside. It wasn't glamorous but it did the job and I was SO thankful I had called before coming back because it's a hard enough transition without worrying about that on top of it!
It's all very tough and don't forget you're not alone - just look at all the posts! This was a great resource for me with any and every question I had. Good luck, and like the other girls on here, feel free to email me. :)

I was just talking about this with my husband last night about how I have no friends with babies and no one to talk to! I'm also 29 with a 14 month old and I work FT. I live in Lakeview. Email me at ____@____.com if you're interested.

I am 38 weeks pregnant, due anytime now, and I also have a 19 mos. old son at home. Because I just recently went through being a first-time mom, breastfeeding, living in the city, and working FT after maternity leave, I might be of some help! :)
I live close to the west loop, will be off of work very soon, and would love to get together with you in the very near future. Hang in there. I remember the first couple of mos. being the most difficult!
My email address is ____@____.com

M.

Hi K.,

I'm right there with you! I'm a 34-year-old new mom to a cutie pie 5-month-old son, and we live in Ravenswood. I also work full-time in Hyde Park.

Breastfeeding and getting used to our new lives was a roller coaster experience in the beginning, and then it got better, and then things went crazy again when I returned to work. I don't have family or many mom friends in the city either, and I would love to join a playgroup with you. Feel free to email me, and we can find a time to chat or plan a get together with our little ones.

Hang in there! It gets sooo much easier and all seems worth it when they start smiling at you. (Around 6 weeks or so!)

Hi, K. -

I'm 28, and was the first of my friends to have a baby, too. My daughter is 2 1/2 now. I nursed her until around 20 months, and agree that being a mom can be exhausting sometimes!

I also live in Logan Square, so let me know if you want to go for a walk sometime, or if you want to get together.

Take care :)
-K. (____@____.com)

You should definitely go to www.meetup.com. You select your interests (moms, breastfeeding, etc.) and then meetup groups that fit your criteria are suggested for you. There are a variety of mom ones, and my friend is in charge of an "Infant Playgroup." Through the site, you can find a variety of things to attend or host your own event. For example, you could offer to host a small playdate through the Infant Playgroup. Or the Stay-At-Home-Mom one has tons of different things going on (and you could join even though you'll be returning to work).

I also go to La Leche League meetings, and to the free stuff at Be By Baby. Both have been a really good support network for me.

My son is now 7 months old, but I built up a network of moms essentially from scratch using those tools! Good luck.

Hi K.,
I know how you feel. My daughter just turned three today but when I just had her I felt the same way you did and even some time after that. I stay home with her so sometimes you can feel out of touch. I know you feel like youneed some adult time. I am 27 years old and have been married to my husband going on 6 years this saturday. I don't live to far from where you live. I live in the Humboldt Park area. Well I hope to hear from you soon.

Check out www.strollerstrides.com It's a great place to meet moms and work out with your little ones. Your first class is free!!! There is a infant/kids group on Mondays after class, mom's night out and tons of fun activities going on all the time. You will love it!!!