I signed DS up for baby group. When the admin person found out I had other kids she said "This group is only for new mothers". I responded "Can't it be for mothers of new babies?" She questioned me about what I thought I might get from the group...what I didn't tell her was the thing I wanted most...I wanted to pick up a mom.
Motherhood can be really isolating. (we all know this right?) One needs a social network of peeps in the same parenting position. I totally had an agenda going into that baby group...to pick up a mom...get her number...and grow a serious relationship based on playdates, stroller fitness and mom & tot swimming lesson registration lines.
Baby group is the new eHarmony.
I want to find a match. Companionship. A happily ever after.
And it's not seedy to pick up a mom. 'Cause they are at *play group*, *play ground*, *drop in* (*insert kid place here*) for the same reason - socialization.
Years ago (on another mat. leave) I met a delicious daddy who took paternity leave. He was dying to pick up a mom (not for that reason). Stay-at-home dads are even more isolated than stay-at-home moms. (Gender can be a ball and chain)
The delish dad and I picked each other up at a baby group...and I'm proud to say we had a great, steady, completely platonic, relationship based on parenting and play dates. We completed each other during the long, work-day, hours when the sun was high and patience was sometimes low.
Modern mom pick up lines go something like:
"My friend has that same diaper bag...do you like it?"
"Do you have an extra diaper?"
"Hey I found a free drop-in...wanna come with?"
Finding of parents, with kids the same age, puts you in-the-know for age-appropriate kid gear, the sign up dates for lessons and which malls have the best changing stations. Plus, it gives your kids' a nudge in the friendship department.
Building a social network is so important for stay-at-home-whoever and babies too. Thus, I'm trolling baby group and speed dating at the park. I'll even pick up on twitter - @ParentClub. This isn't seedy...it's simple socialization.
So I'm not a new mother. I'm a mother of a new baby - who knows the benefit of having a secret agenda at baby group.
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