Meeting Other Families in Our Neighborhood....

When I moved to a new area, I found playgrounds, parks, and organized children's clubs/activities were key. I would get to know the parents there and, after a few weeks, arrange for play dates. My kids really liked the fresh air and change of pace, too! In our newest town, both boys (3 and 1 year old) took swimming lessons and tumbling. That was really fun for them, and we got to know some more people.

We met a neighbor and her little girl in this way (they didn't know anyone). After dinner the mom (who worked FT) would say to the little girl "Let's take a walk and see if we can find some friends...." This little girl and my son ended up getting together a lot of evenings and playing during the nice weather months! I think it's a great, easy idea! Just go for a stroll and see who you can find!

Welcome to the area! Have you tried the Community Playground on Rt 123 in Norton near the cat shelter?My daughter is 2 and a half so we go there now and then. It's perfect for the under 5 age group so you'd probably have an opportunity to meet other moms w/ toddlers there.Also, the Y in Attleboro or Foxboro have toddler/parent classes(swim,art/crafts,sports etc.)- some on Saturdays.Hope that helps.Best of luck.

I feel your pain. Last April we moved from PA to NC and were dying to meet people with kids (for us and our son). We knew our neighborhood was packed with them, but just didn't know how to go about meeting them. There were two things that were helpful. The first was that we found a young family in the neighborhood who was always out walking around and asked them about what other kids there were. They were SO nice and helpful with it all, and told us where there were other kids. The second thing we did was get out there and try and meet them. I literally walked up to random people's houses and said something like, "Hi, I'm M. and my husband, son and I just moved in down the street. My son, Austin, is 3, and our neighbor Jess told me that you also have a 3 year old." Usually this was enough to get a conversation started. The other way we got out and met people was by taking nightly walks. Other families would also be out walking, we would introduce ourselves, and a friendship would start. I hope this helps, and good luck...it can be intimidating, but now we have some amazing friends down here that I cannot imagine living without!

I was going to suggest the library's story-time, but if you're working then that won't work. My second thought is Church. Third thought is to go for walks after dinner & then talk to strangers. Or go out to the front yard and blow bubbles and play with a ball, see if anyone else is pulling into the driveways, going for walks, etc. Strike up a conversation with anyone asking "do you know of other 3 yr olds in the neighborhood?" Or how about invite a mom from the playgroup over for dinner. Just cause you can't make the meeting during the week doesn't mean you can't give someone your name to call you privately. Can you just ask the leader of the pack "I can't make the meetings. What else can I do to get connected?" Good luck.

In my experience, just being outdoors at the local park, grocery stores, going for walks in the neighborhood, etc. are the best ways to meet people if your child isn't in school, yet. Once the weather warms up and people are outside, you'll probably find that just being outdoors will help a lot! Go to the parks and strike up conversations with others with kids your son's age. Even if that mom with another 3 year old's schedule doesn't work with yours, she may know another mom who's schedule will work with yours. It's very much like making contacts in the work world. Plus, even if most the playgroups meet during the week, that doesn't mean that they won't get together with you for a Saturday park date. That way the whole family could get to know each other. Good luck!!

Hi, I am in the same boat. I'm over in Attleboro, and full time working mom, and also found that all the stuff was during the week. I agree with Elizabeth about the Norton Community Playground on rt. 123- I take my 2.5 year old there quite often in the early evenings during the week or on Saturdays. It is good for that age. The North Attleboro Y is also very good and has a kids gym and lots of toddler classes. I don't know about the Norton Library, but the Attleboro library has story time which is good as well. I don't know any other moms in the area with kids my daugther's age except for one neighbor, so I feel your pain!

We have an extremely close "hood" we were all here before our children were born, but had no idea.. Once we noticed all the pregnant bellies we started visiting. As the children were old enough, we took them to our front yards and did tummy time on blankets..I t soon turned into a great group of families, going through a lot of the same things together. I felt bad that one of our neighbors had been trying for a baby and had a miscarriage during my pregnancy. Bless her heart. She was the only one that did not have a child with our first round. They ended up selling their home unexpectedly. It was a rush. Within the month they quickly moved she discovered she was pregnant!

Anyway. I think if you can have your son play outside in the front yard every once in a while. Keep some toys out there. Park your car across the bottom of the driveway and let him ride his trike or peddle cars, you all will attract neighbors in no time.. We used to play "traffic" with sidewalk chalk. I would draw out roads, stop signs, parking spaces and our daughter would follow the "rules of the road." She still says that was one her favorite things she used to play..