Hi ladies, I have been throwing around the idea of hosting a playgroup in my area to get to know other moms and their kiddies. I have an almost 3 year old boy who could use some playmates, and a 9 month old boy as well. We moved here (from Schaumburg) about a year ago and I would love to get to know some other stay at home moms in the area. I thought I'd throw this out there to see if there's interest.
Maybe the first meeting could be at a park, and later I'd be glad to open up our home and yard for playtime.
I live in the Bristol Trails area, and thought those who live in Chestnut Corners, Old Mill Grove, and Countryside might be interested. Anyone nearby would be welcome too!
The only "rules" for the group is that I would want it to be a positive, encouraging, edifying experience for all, where we can help each other, give and receive advice, and just have fun! We could also share prayer requests and encourage each other in Christian faith if you happen to share my faith as well. (Just want to be up front about who I am!)
Thanks and I hope to hear from you! Feel free to email me as well orryally at yahoo dot com.
Thanks for the advice and tips everyone! Lakeside Moms and Tots looks like it has a lot of great events and trips to different museums and events, but I'm not looking for that level of involvement at this point (and it charges $35 a year to join). Also, Meetup charges money to list a group as well, so I decided against that at least for now. It's not that I'm cheap, it's that I don't think meeting people in my area should cost money! What happened to good old get-togethers with your neighbors? :)
Then, last weekend I met a few moms in my area at a garage sale, interested in getting together, and there were a few moms who saw this post and emailed me as well. If you are one of them, we will be planning a get-together at a nearby park this week and I will email you to invite you to that. I am looking forward to meeting other moms, what an answer to prayer. Mamasource worked! Feel free to contact me if you are just finding this post and want to join as well. (May 11, '08- Happy Mother's Day!)
Have you looked into Lakeside Mom and Tots? They are a great organization dedicated to connecting moms and their kids! Look them up at Lakesidemomandtots.com
C. M
Hey S.!
I am interested for sure! I am a sahm with two little boys, too! One just turned two and the other is 3 months. We are in the neighborhood across from Countryside...I always forget the name of it (isn't that terrible?). Where do you go to church? I may email you this response, too, if that's okay...
S.,
Have you ever heard of www.meetup.com? I just joined a mom's playgroup in the Wauconda area which includes moms from Wauconda, Island Lake, Hawthorn Woods, Lake Zurich, Barrington, etc.
One of the moms started the group and wanted all of the kids to be around the same age; so the "joining criteria" for that group is "moms with children that were born between this date and that date".
You could start your own group and then you "admit" people to your group when they join.
Just a thought. I just joined our group and will be going to the first playdate on Monday. They generally have 1 or 2 things to do every week and then 1 or 2 mom events per month. Looks like fun.
I think I found it through mamasource.com; however don't remember. Good luck!
Hi S.! My girls are a bit older (4 and 6 years old) so a playgroup with them may not be exactly what you are looking for. However, we are a Christian family also living in Lake Zurich and I'm president of Lakeside Moms and Tots. I wanted to tell you to check out our organization if you haven't already. Our website is: www.lakesidemomsandtots.org
We offer playgroups, although it isn't a Christian organization. I'm also part of a Christian mom's group in Lake Zuich that meets every other Tuesday night. We read parenting books with written by Christian authors, share prayer requests, and just generally encourage one another as mom's and wives. Feel free to contact me if you want more information. Most of the women in our group (there are 7 of us) have kids exacty your age (and boys too!). Two of the women actually had babies 3 months ago (one was with twins) so we've had fun holding babies at our last several meetings. :0)
Hi S.!
I just saw your post about starting a playgroup and I am very much interested! I live up 12 in Volo but I spend a lot of time in the LZ area, that's where I do my shopping, etc. I have 2 boys as well- 2.5 years old and 5 months- so I'm just a couple steps behind you! :)
Please let me know if you have anything planned coming up and I'd love to take part! Our schedule is a bit goofy at the moment- I'm trying to get my little one on a better napping schedule- but we try to get outside morning and late afternoon if the weather permits.
Take care mama,
L.
S., I suggest you start your group on MeetUp.com. That way people will find your group and ask to join. That's how I found a playgroup in the Mt. Prospect area. Our group has newborns and toddlers, but you can set the age limit for your group. Ours has a lot of dates at the local parks where moms of the newborns and little ones can walk the path while the toddlers play on the swings and slides. Just a suggestion -- and who knows, there may already be a group in your area. Good luck!
M.
