Play dates

Jule'sMomInOR · #1 April 28th, 2011, 07:00 PM

DH and I met some people with a 10 month-old DD and have had a few play dates with just them. They invited me to join an online group for parents of babies in the area. I'm constantly getting emails about play dates, but they're always during my work day. I'm thinking about hosting one of my own so I can actually participate and get to know more of the moms. So my question for those of you who have been to play dates, and this probably sounds really silly, is what should I do to host one? What usually happens at one?

I think Holly mentioned having Mimosas as play dates. Should I offer some at mine and risk looking like a lush, or wait until I've been to some other ones first? Should I make some kind of sugar free baby cookies for the babies?

This probably sounds really lame, but I really want to be liked by this group because the rest of them are SAHMs and I only have limited times when I can participate. If they like me enough, they might be willing to schedule more play dates when I'm available.

AmandaEliz · #2 April 28th, 2011, 07:46 PM

I

play dates. It's so nice to be around other grown-ups who have kids, too. You get awesome at holding entire conversations even with "Ethan! DO NOT throw that car!" in the middle. Just make sure the area you're holding the play date is baby proof (and/or toddler proof) so that everyone can relax a bit. Gate off the stairs, warn everyone that you have a dog (I love dogs, but am not a fan of having my kids around dogs I don't know), just stuff like that.

I would skip the mimosas until I know the group better. My one friend (her daughters are really close to E & A's ages. We actually met her & her hubby at our birthing class for E) have been known to crack a bottle of wine, but we've been friends now for almost 3 years.

I would say snacks or a light lunch is a great idea depending on what time you schedule the play date. Snacks for the kiddos, espeically if some have toddlers who would be there, are always a good plan. Maybe grab a pack of the Take n' Toss sippies. I usually remember a sippy for E, but not always. Its always nice when someone with just a baby thinks of your toddler.

Oh & I know you & I are both kinda crunchy about certain things. NCB, BFing, etc. I generally avoid those topics until I know the Mommies better. Some Mommies get really sensitive about those topics & while I can tell my friend (same as above) that I think she's a lunatic for having a scheduled non-medical c/s, I filter my opinions about those things around new people.

Hollybear · #3 April 28th, 2011, 08:50 PM

I didn't do mimosas until someone else did it first! We had met up SEVERAL times and finally someone was like, "We should do mimosas next week" and so I was like, "You had me at mimosa" (FYI - we totally aren't sitting around getting drunk) Now it's sort of become a given, I always have cheese dip and mimosas....other moms bring other things. We always have way too much food.

I really don't do food for the babies since most of the babies are barely eating food. Maybe do some type of pastry (cinnamon rolls) and tea/coffee. That's how one of our 1st playgroups went down. Chances are they are just as excited as you are that they have another mom friend....at least that's how we all are.

Although I still think you should move to Bend and be in our playgroup!

P.S. - I don't think she has to worry too much about being *too* crunchy being in Oregon, especially Portland! (haha)

AmandaEliz · #4 April 28th, 2011, 09:04 PM

Yeah, I'm in DC... We're the politically correct capitol as well as the national capitol.

Hollybear · #5 April 28th, 2011, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmandaEliz

Yeah, I'm in DC... We're the politically correct capitol as well as the national capitol.

I often (jokingly) say "I'm from Texas, I don't know better" LOL

Vincent'sMommy · #6 April 28th, 2011, 09:19 PM

I've gone to several baby playgroups through my local mommies forum and they've all been pretty much the same. We just go to someone's house and they usually offer refreshments for the moms but not much - maybe cookies and tea - and we just let the babies play (well, the mobile ones anyway) and sit around and talk. I don't think you'd really need to plan too much. As far as food for the babies, I would think most moms might bring their own snacks or baby food as needed but you could just offer whatever you have on hand I would think.

I've also gone to plenty of other events - park dates, breakfast or lunch at Chick Fil A (which I never knew was such a popular mommy hang out!) or other local events. If the weather's getting nicer maybe you could plan a walk and talk at the park or zoo or something.

Maybe after you get to know them a little better you might plan a Mom's Night Out (or a Mom's Night In) if possible. I've been to a couple of those and it's a great way to get to know each other in a child-free setting.

jessanddane · #7 April 29th, 2011, 06:15 AM

I wish we had playgroups in our area. since I work all week, its been impossible to find moms to hang out with. All of my "friends" are single, baby-free party girls. The only person I hang out with is DH and Emily.

Sad, right??? LOL

#8 April 29th, 2011, 07:14 AM

No mommy groups here either. None.at.all! We do go to library story time. It started off with five kids, and now it's down to two kids, and they are on a break until June for the summer reading program though. Their is no swimming class here, no mommy group, no fun places to even TRY to find mommy friends. If we go to the park we find moms with cigarette's hanging out of their mouths, and yelling at their kids, and no I dont live in a "run down place". It's just a small city with nothing to do. Thats why I cant wait for our house to sell. Where we will be living, their is tons of shopping places, fun places for kids, and LOTS of mommy groups.

Lilly Bella · #9 April 29th, 2011, 07:19 AM

Shannon, let's have a playdate on monday the 23rd

i'm coming back that weekend for a couple sessions and leaving monday so on our way through kokomo let's do it!

Vincent'sMommy · #10 April 29th, 2011, 07:28 AM

Kristen, feel free to make a stop in Louisville on your way back!

Lilly Bella · #11 April 29th, 2011, 07:38 AM

How about on the way through?? That's usually where we stop for lunch. Doing anything that Friday??

Sorry for hijacking! I hope that wasn't on of ya'lls pet peeves because it's one of my flaws

#12 April 29th, 2011, 07:45 AM

Sure! That would be awesome! It will have to be like, morning-mid day, EARLY afternoon ish, just not 4pm or later because of practice, then Kaitlyn has a game that evening. As you know, their isn't much to do here. Maybe meet up at the park? Jackson morrow or hughland? Thats about the only kiddy thing, other then chuck e cheese, and I secretly despise that place. LOL If you have a better idea, let me know.

Jule'sMomInOR · #13 April 29th, 2011, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaiX2Momma

No mommy groups here either. None.at.all! We do go to library story time. It started off with five kids, and now it's down to two kids, and they are on a break until June for the summer reading program though. Their is no swimming class here, no mommy group, no fun places to even TRY to find mommy friends. If we go to the park we find moms with cigarette's hanging out of their mouths, and yelling at their kids, and no I dont live in a "run down place". It's just a small city with nothing to do. Thats why I cant wait for our house to sell. Where we will be living, their is tons of shopping places, fun places for kids, and LOTS of mommy groups.

That sucks! I've heard from some of my new SAHM friends that one things that makes being a SAHM so much more enjoyable is play groups with other moms. I hope your house sells and you can move and find one soon!

Lilly Bella · #14 April 29th, 2011, 10:51 AM

Shannon's not lying when she says that. I lived there too and ugh it sucks. I just wish I would have known her back then too! we would have started our own mommy group even if it was just the 2 of us

Jule'sMomInOR · #15 April 29th, 2011, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hollybear

P.S. - I don't think she has to worry too much about being *too* crunchy being in Oregon, especially Portland! (haha)

So true! All of the moms but one BF and just about all had or tried for a NCB. Several even had home births or water births. There are more co-sleepers than not, and those who don't don't look at you like you have two heads. Sometimes I'm amazed at the crunchiness surrounding me ...