Hello all in sowal! We are expecting a baby girl in May and was wondering if there are any moms or dads out there that can give me some leads to parent clubs, infant care, mom's day out stuff....really anything. This is our first baby and I am kinda out of the whole "mommy" thing. My husband and I both work in the hospitality industry and feel that we are going to have a difficult time meeting people with the same intrests and schedule. Thanks for any advice and help!

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What's the picture?

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Congratulations! I can't help you with the mom's clubs, etc., except to say you can find a cool bunch of people on here that are extremely supportive. Also, there are more parents with atypical lives as many of us work within the tourism industry (or have spouses that do) in some shape, form or fashion.

Oh... I do know that there was a mom's group or two on Meetup.com for this area. PM CityMouse & ask her about it.

BTW, there's no getting the "mommy thing" until the little bundle arrives. I remember researching the hail outta stuff and 3 kids later, I'm just making it up and figuring it out along the way. You will do fine... it's just not something that we can ever truly prepare for but it's absolutely amazing.

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You need not think alike to love alike.
Francis David

hi there! just been through what you're about to embark on! while there are some things you will definitely have to experience, there are still lots of ways to help prepare :) i think the sacred heart hospital offers some parenting classes and we found that a great way to meet other new parents in the city we came from. i will be happy to offer you advice on whatever i've learned so far including navigating the registry of stuff you will need - and NOT need! feel free to PM me! i have some good information on breastfeeding support too.

as far as connecting to local parent groups, we're new here and we've had little luck. there aren't any children's playgrounds, or mommy and me or gymborees here where moms get together regularly or throughout the day like where we came from. i definitely haven't heard about any infant care. there's a stroller strides class, which is great if you live near destin commons, but anything where you have to schedule or drive 1/2 hr each way, you'll find is a tough call with an infant :)

i do know of a group of santa rosa moms on meetup that i'll check out eventually, but was hoping for a more "organic" way of meeting parents.

I have been thinking about a "SoWal Moms" forum. It might be a good place to share info, resources, tips, stories, etc. What do you guys think?

Playground on the way at Helen McCall!

I think that's a great idea, Kurt.

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Get Outdoors!

My daughter is due in April, so if you want to connect with her and learn a few things together, just message me and I'll give you her email etc. She and her bf will be living in Bluewater Bay area, but she heads to the Destin area alot.

there is a MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) that meets at village baptist church in destin 2 mondays a month. not sure if your child has to be preschool age to attend, or if they can be younger.

not sure if you are in the market, but in pensacola they have this huge children's consignment sale. a friend of mine was very skeptical, but she went since all her friends were pressuring her to & she was very impressed with the level of organization & cleanliness, etc. anyhow, the link is mom2mom Florida Site

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30-A Personal Chef
www.ChefJamieDietrich.com

"Ask not what you can do for your country. Ask what's for lunch." -- Orson Welles

Yep! And I'm so excited!

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You need not think alike to love alike.
Francis David

GREAT idea Kurt! Set it up please.

There are a ton of kids at Pt. Washington United Methodist Church. There is a Mother's Day Out program and a preschool on the way. Lots of babies around so may be some good contacts for you there. My children are grown and grandchildren are in another state, so that's about all I know. Except, there are a lot of SoWallers with children. Hope you meet them at some of the events coming up this Spring as everyone is getting out and about. Good Luck.

what's helen mccall? and are there any groups that aren't associated with churches? not all of us are christian ya know.

Hey there, too funny...when we first moved here we would drive up and down 30-a in search of a playground. Back in NY where we are from you would typically find one on every street corner, and playgrounds were our watering holes for meeting other moms and their kids. We finally stopped and asked the man in the booth at the entrance of Grayton Beach State Park where the nearest playground was and he looked at us in exasperation and pointed us straight ahead...to the Beach !!!!

I started a coupla local mommy groups on meetup.com as I was definitely in need of getting out and meeting other moms in the area. maybe not the most organic way, but still a way....

PM me anytime if you'd like more info. :)

Sorry for such the late reply, but YES!!!!!! We did have our baby and am looking to connect with other moms in the area. Go for it!!!

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Hey! Still hope that you are doing the mom group thing. I need to find some girlfriends with kids and help finding local sitters/nanny....any other mom advice would also be welcomed. I am not a church person so I really feel uncomfortable "using" the church to connect with other moms. I know there are alot of women out there like me....we just need to connect! Please give me any info you have on this topic. THanks!!!! CC

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First time I have seen this thread. 12-month pregnancy?Glad that it wasn't due in May 2010!

Congrats on your new baby!

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I know that you have said that you are uncomfortable with using the church to connect; not everyone that has their kids in the chuch affiliated programs for children are church goers. (we do not attend church either, and our kids went to church affiliated preschools and such.)

You need a circle of friends with similar needs; pre-school and moms day out programs give that to you no matter where they are offered from. Just because the building is a church doesn't mean you will be hounded to be saved when you walk through the door. At least visit a few places or call them to get a feel of what they have to offer. You may just find what you are looking for.

We had no one here that had kids when we had ours, (no family in town and our friends didn't have kids yet); the church based pre-schools & moms day out programs helped me keep my sanity, and helped my kids develop friendships that they still have. (now in 5th & 2nd grades).

I would love a moms forum on here as well.

Oceanchef- I would love to know how you're doing. I have a 13 month old and also feel a bit of a disconnect with the community here. My Hubby and I used to both work in restaurants (he still does) but I don't anymore and everything has changed for us. I think a Sowal MOM group on here would be invaluable! get on it kurt, j/k

Hello Mommies,

Please email Heidi (the current organizer) and let her know that you spoke to me. (Sonia) She should be able to provide you with the invite code, but if you have any trouble, then please private message me.

Thanks so much!
http://www.meetup.com/santarosabeachmommies/

I remember attending a meeting about this years ago... Awesome !