Groups for expecting moms?

[abbie romanul]

I've lived in Davis for 3 years but was an out of stater before that. My husband and I are expecting our first baby in May and we are both in our late 20s. We are the first of our friends to have kids, so I am interested in any local pregnancy/parenting groups I might look into joining. Any suggestions would be appreciated! Thank you :)

Comments

[obie119.livejournal.com]

The JF&CS group at the temple in Somerville is wonderful; there's also one in Arlington on Fridays from 10 to 11:30 which I liked even better. It was a lifeline! Our cohort still gets together every Friday, and we've formed a babysitting coop, and it's been a wonderful experience. These groups are moderated but in a low-key way; there is no curriculum, only caring and total openness and honesty. And it's free!

Here is the list; it's hidden in the webstie a bit: http://www.jfcsboston.org/OurPrograms/ChildrenFamilies/CenterforEarlyRelationshipSupport/SupportGroups/tabid/225/Default.aspx
You don't have to be Jewish; it's completely nonreligious.

There was a midwives of Mount Auburn group on Monday afternoons at the UU church in Arlington; you don't have to be a Mt A patient. They have a lactation consultant available. This group is freeform and sort of hit and miss, but you'll want to get out and do something every day.

There are baby-friendly movies at the Capitol on Mondays and Som Theatre on Thursdays.

AND - as a mom of an April baby (2011), I think you are having a kid at the best possible time; your maternity leave will be during the nicest weather of the year, and just getting outside, you'll meet someone. I was terrified before Joey was born that my social life (which was very busy) would end...but instead, a new one started. Parenthood can be very social in its own distracted way. Congrats! If you are staying-at-home, be enterprising - start a playgroup once fall hits, invite a few mom friends you know, and invite them to invite someone as well. You can switch houses each week.

But: I'll be the voice of dissent saying that I hated my Isis class! I ponyed up for it (it's pricey!) because I panicked (as one is likely to do postpartum once partner has returned to work and doting grandparents have left) and it was just way too structured for me. Want to talk about how parenthood has thrown a grenade into your happy relationship? "we'll cover relationships in Week 5!"

To be fair, a lot there depends on which instructor you get, and yes I did talk to the management. But I did always feel schlumpy at that Isis group; I was the only one in the class without a pedicure, etc...

[emcicle.livejournal.com]

i just want to echo that it completely depends on the make-up (no pun intended!) of the group at Isis. It is pricey. But the group i was in, none of us were high fashion or made up. Heck, half the time most of us were in PJ pants. If I could have gone in slippers, I would have. :)