The Dreaded Playdate

Every so often I see a mom sign up for a membership never to be seen or heard. They may lurk the board from time to time but never actually come out to any events. I encourage moms to come out to events and for various reasons it doesn't always work with their schedule. This I understand. We're all busy, and it's impossible to have events scheduled at times that will accommodate everyone.

What I do wonder is how many of these moms don't come out to an event because they are shy and nervous? Nervous of what you may ask? Well, of fitting in. Of acceptance. Of the unknown. See, I understand because I was a new member too at one time. 

My daughter when we just moved to Burlington. I spent a lot of time taking pictures of her to pass the time.

I'll take you back 2 years ago. We moved to Burlington, Ontario. Me, my husband and my 6 month old daughter. I didn't know anyone there. I was scared of being lonely but excited for our next adventure. I knew in order to survive I would have to join classes with my daughter. And lots! So I Googled mom and baby activities around the Burlington / Halton area. I was prepared to drive anywhere so I could get out of the house and keep busy. I joined swimming. I wasn't too nervous about this. It's swimming. We listen to the instructor but don't have to really worry if we aren't talking to other moms. We're there to to swim, not socialize. But when I arrived I felt the urge to talk to the other moms. I was so lonely I just needed to talk, to anyone! So I'd strike up a conversation and they'd talk back to me. We'd smile, say "I'll see you next week," and go on our day. After the last class I never saw those moms again. How do you pick up another mommy friend? It's not that easy. "Do you want to be my friend?"

So I Googled more activities. I stumbled upon momstown. It sounded like an interesting concept. So I signed up. $45! What do I have to lose. I signed up for a few events. I think I canceled the first few. I chickened out. Go to a playdate where I don't know anyone?!?! So I built up courage and I signed up for another. I clicked on each mom's profile who was signed up. I studied it like I was preparing for an exam. I didn't want to forget anyone's name or their kid's name. My first event was at Sharkey's. The Goldfish Playdate. It was a public place, so not as awkward as going into a strange mom's home. This I can handle. I chatted with the other moms. My daughter looked around and smiled at the other moms and babies. I went home and looked at their profiles again. I liked them. I think I may have found some friends. And I don't have to ask them to be my friend! I can see the next playdate they are signed up for and go. It will just come naturally.

Next up, a playdate at someone's home. I remember going to our first playdate at a mom's home. Ringing the doorbell and introducing myself. "Hi, I'm Ester. I'm here for your playdate." Again, another new and awkward situation. But I overcame it. Was I nervous? Yes! But each and every mom at that playdate had been new at one point too. They went through those same feelings I went through. You won't make friends unless you put yourself out there. It's like dating.  Mr. Right won't come along while you're sitting at home. 

A group of moms that I became friends with. All our kids turned 1 around the same time so we celebrated together.

I realized that it wasn't so bad to go to a playdate and not know anyone. I was nervous but I also wanted to teach my baby not to fear the unknown. To be sociable. I'm a pretty shy person but as I get out there, forcing myself to meet other moms, I am overcoming my shy nature. You probably won't hear me stop talking now. I also think reading the message board helped too. You start to feel like you know these moms before you even meet. It was nice to find a message board that was with local moms, not moms across the country.

Going to a playgroup is so much more valuable then we realize. It provides moms and their babies with activities that get them out of the house. You can make new friends and enjoy adult conversation. It helps moms from feeling isolated, which is essential in fighting postpartum depression. Socializing is important in order to be happy, healthy moms. Your baby is socializing too. Even if you think he or she is just lying there. They are watching other babies. Processing what is going on. These babies do get older. Eventually they'll be crawling and walking! Playing with the other babies that they have essentially grown up with. Making friends too!

So you shy moms, get out there! Come to a playdate. If you are lucky to have a mom group in your community like momstown, join! And come out to an event. Those heart racing, sweating palms will eventually go away. The dreaded playdate isn't as bad as you think it will be. And it sure beats trying to pick up a mom at the playground.

momstown Holiday Party

The previous Saturday we had our 1st Annual momstown Holiday Party. It was great to see so many of our members come out who I haven't seen in some time. I have been working on the party for some time but this time Santa sent me some helpers so I was able to enjoy a lot of the party. We had crafts, music, a potluck, trivia, prizes, a dance party and a visit from Santa! Not to mention some great company and lots of laughter and happy kids running around!

I had some homemade gingerbread playdough for the kids to play with. I also made a Christmas playdough using peppermint and coloured it green. By the end it was all one big ball of nutmeg, cinnamon and peppermint, but still smelled good!

We had a potluck and had a great variety of healthy snacks......  cookies are healthy right? Well the veggie platter balances it out!

Santa came by for a visit. The kids loved him! He even danced with us to some Christmas tunes!

In some cases moms loved Santa more then the kids. There may have been the odd tear too. Is it bad that I love these photos the most?

What's a Holiday Party without a Christmas Tree! Thanks to Santa's little helpers for setting this up for us!

Here's Santa again! The kids just couldn't get enough of him.

The generosity of our moms just continues. We had a collection going for our 2 families for the Christmas Cheer Board. We also had a collection going for The United Ways Koats for Kids.

What's a party without a little gift. Santa left each family some Reindeer Food to take home. You must remember to feed them too. Everyone leaves milk and cookies for Santa but forget about his helpers. They need fuel to fly around the world that night. Click here to see how you can make this Reindeer Food at home.

Thanks to all of Santa's helpers for helping make this event a success! Happy Holidays!

Laugh and Learn Puppy from Fisher Price

I was super excited when I received a package a few weeks back that had Fisher-Price right on the box. I knew instantly it was our Laugh and Learn Puppy. I immediately opened it and gave it to my 6 month old son.  I sort of assumed this toy would be for him as my 2 1/2 year old daughter has a ton of toys, and I actually thought she was past this stage.

Well was I wrong! My son looked at the toy and wasn't quite sure what to think of it at first. It was his first time seeing a toy that moved and talked. He has since warmed up to it but it was cute to see his initial reaction. You could see the wheels turning in his little head wondering how this toy moved on it's own.

My daughter on the other hand snagged the toy and hasn't given it back to her baby brother since. She dances with it and interacts with the puppy. This toy gets 2 thumbs up from my toddler!

I also had a chance to have some of our momstown mom's children play with the Laugh and Learn Puppy during our infant playdates. The toy was a hit with all the babies. I think this toy would be great for a baby over 9 months old. If it is their first time hearing a singing, moving animal then maybe turn it on far away from them. They may get a little startled at first. But in no time they will be moving along with the puppy. My son now giggles and laughs to the puppy.

If you want to win a Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Puppy you can enter here. Good luck!

Tales for Tots Playdate

This momstown mama has been busy planning and attending playdates in Winnipeg! momstown is now in full operation and moms are joining from all over the city. There is definitely a need for moms to connect and get out of the house and join mom groups and playdates with their kids.

Last month our theme was Construction. We had our Tales for Tots at Sir John Franklin Community Centre. Here we read Hot Rod Hamster by Cynthia Lord. In this story the Hamster builds a cool hot rod. What I really like about this book is that it engages the kids, asking them to choose the type of car, the parts, tires and flames that they would choose for the Hamster! We got all the kids involved and they knew exactly what the perfect car for Hamster would be!

This cutie wanted to be a construction worker!

A big thank you to our sponsor Scholastics Canada for providing us with this book to read. They also gave us a second book to giveaway. The winner of that book was Kayla, who promises to share it with her big sister! Congratulations Kayla!

After we read the book, we had arts and crafts, like 'D is for Dump Truck'.

And we had sensory play too, using coffee, oatmeal, and beans to decorate construction trucks, or as my daughter calls them "mighty machines."

Looks like a playdate that your kids would like? Sign up and check out our calendar. We have Tales for Tots once a month. Hope to see you at our next Tales for Tots.

Wordless Wednesday - Why it's good to be home!