Play Date’s Are Not Just For Children
My daughter was a few months old when I started taking her to play dates. I was sure that the social interaction would be beneficial to her cognitive development.
Okay, so that’s what I told anyone who asked me why I took such a young baby to play dates. The truth is that play dates are really for the moms (or dads) who are still trying to figure out the whole new parenthood role. Yes, play dates are good for social interaction, but when the children involved can’t even sit up or stay awake longer than twenty minutes, it’s pretty obvious who is doing the socializing.
Despite this, I urge you to find a play date group if you have not yet done so. It doesn’t matter if your baby is quite young; finding the right group will make your life as a mom so much better. Have you ever received that look your husband gives when you try to explain to him that you really don’t want anyone touching you after you’ve spent the day carrying and nursing your baby? While he may give you a confused-yet-trying-to-appear-unoffended look, most of the women in your play group will probably nod in agreement. Sometimes just knowing that there are other new moms who feel the same way can make all the difference in the world.
How Do You Find a Play Date?
If you don’t know any other moms with babies or young children, have a look online because there are websites devoted to bringing people together for social gatherings. I also suggest checking out community bulletin boards at libraries and cafes because organizations like MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) frequently post information about upcoming meetings and outings.
For moms who do not like socializing in large groups, try to find one other mom with a baby close in age to your own. It doesn’t really matter if the two of you don’t have anything else in common because -as you will soon discover- babies are the great unifier. You will have plenty to talk about.
My oldest child is now 6, but she is still friends with some of the other gals she first socialized with as an infant. I also count the moms of those friends to be some of my closest allies in motherhood because we’ve been through it all together: weaning, potty training, illnesses, and the first day of kindergarten. I think my experience as a mom would have been much different if it weren’t for those women.
So do yourself a favor and get involved with some other moms, even if your baby spends more time sleeping than anything else. Before you know it you’ll be thinking back to these play dates fondly and will have formed strong, lasting relationships with some other moms.
Shelia Butler says...
I enjoyed great and totally agree. I am a new mommy and recently became a stay at home mommy. I enjoy the interaction that the kiddo’s get, but the interaction and information that I receive is priceless.
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Pete says...
The good thing about this play date is the interaction among parents. This is a beneficial activity for new parents because they will be expert parents in no time. The interaction or sharing of experiences serves as a lesson and a guide for better parenthood. Also they earn new friends through play date.
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