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I understand that a lot of moms are able to be SAHM, but I'm not. I'm not even sure I'd want to be, but that's another topic. What peeves me off is this. Yesterday I saw an ad for a Moms group near here. Right on the ad it said "we welcome all moms of children under 5". But guess when their meetings were held? Tuesday mornings from 9-11 am. If they're so welcoming of ALL moms, why not actually have their meetings when working moms might be able to attend? Stay at home moms could probably just as easily attend during the evening or on weekends or something, and that would be better for most working moms. I would really LOVE to meet some other moms, because I don't really know that many with kids roughly Yuna's age. But if none of the mom groups have meetings except during the day on weekdays, I can't do it. Does anyone know of any mom groups that are actually working-mom friendly? I'd especially like to meet some moms in real life, but even online groups would work. I find the ones I've looked at online pretty hostile to working moms, however, so I'm not holding my breath. Are there any groups specifically FOR working moms? That would be ideal, obviously.
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Just a thought on why it's held during the day time...
For a lot of SAHMoms, our social "networking" can be difficult and it's a way to meet other moms. I know working moms have this issue too, just saying that when one is at home more often, it's more isolated (or can be more isolated anyway). Working moms can meet up with people for lunch and there is an element of socialization at the office too.
The other aspect of it is that the kids play together. During the evenings, kids under 5 go to bed early, there's dinner, bath etc. Besides, a lot of moms (working and sahm) are pooped! LOL!
I agree though....keep looking or make the suggestion to have twice a month meetings after work hours, weekends or just call for your own group.:)
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A note of randomness: I'm a WAHM and I couldn't do an evening playgroup with Nicholas. Maybe another child but 100% NOT this child. Mornings are his tame time. He shares decently. He is mostly happy. Minor meltdowns before nap time. After nap time? Not so good. After DINNER?! Uh, we don't go out in public after 5pm right now. Evenings have never been particularly good with this kid, even when he was little. (Crying time as an infant was from 6-8.) That said: don't worry. You're probably not missing much. The playgroup we went to for two months was AWFUL. We now stick to the library. (Which DOES have an evening class (that we don't attend!) so you might want to look into your local library's offerings!!!!)
I hear you! I would love a way to meet moms and kids that are my son's age. I am also a working (and single) mother. I don't always feel like I have that much in common with SAHM's (no flames, just reality). I have to look somewhere besides playgroups to network. I haven't quite figured it out yet!
I'm in a MOMS Club, and the business meetings are on Wed. mornings. But there's SO MUCH MORE than the meetings. Really, mostly the board goes to the meetings. The important parts are the events. There are events scheduled throughout the week at varied times. Most of the moms are SAHM or WAHM, but there are some who work full-time. I'd look into your local MOMS Club. There's also a site called Meet Up where you can hook-up with people in your area who share your interests.Good luck!:hippie:
I work too and would love a weekend playgroup, but I would NOT want to try to drag H to a group in the evenings. That is his time w/ us, since we're not with him during the day. Also, evenings aren't his best time of day---I think that's actually true for a lot of kids, which may be why you don't see a lot of groups scheduling at that time. With kids this age, I think small groups are better anyway----see if you can find just one or two other moms interested in a Saturday Stroller Summit.
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My personality is such that I am not sure I could do a lot of play dates even if I were home full time (I do get together with friends, usually one one one, who have kids DD's age).....My pet peeve is that I belong to the Y and EVERYTHING (babysitting, classes for kids and adults, etc.) is really geared toward stay at home parents. I finally started working 4 days/week and took DD to a class at the Y called "Melodyhounds" yesterday. This was my first "foray" into a "mommy and me" type thing and it cracked me up because I was such a fish out of water!! The instructor said that she was "disappointed" that I had missed the first 2 classes (I had things come up the first 2 weeks) and I thought she was kidding!! But she wasn't because she reiterated it to me in an email! DD is "toast" in the evenings (I think a lot of kids are)so I think it may be better to try to find other moms who may want to do get togethers on the weekends....Good luck!
From a SAHM's point of view, midweek daytime get togethers, where the kiddos can play (someone elses toys are always more fun) and the Moms can have a little adult conversation, is essential some days to keep our sanity! Like Crick said, you can really feel isolated if you don't get out and talk to grownups a bit.We started an 'unofficial' Mom's group on our street. It is packed with little ones and through word of mouth a bunch of us get together weekly (about 6 or so). We are all within about 10 houses from each other and take turn hosting. We have SAHMs, WAHMs, part-time and full-time Working moms, so we just keep a casual schedule. We usually get together on a Wed or Thur morn but when it is your turn to host, you can change the day or time if it works for you. One full-time mom hosts once a month on a Saturday. So she doesn't come all the time but is still involved. Another a late afternoon.Maybe you could start something up where you live if there are kids around. Its a great way to get to know your neighbours and I'm sure people would be flexible. Try word of mouth, or maybe put a poster up on the mailboxes or something.Good luck! I hope you can find a group!
Another option would be to see if you have a local MOPS group. MOPS stands for Mothers of Preschoolers (meaning those not yet in school, infant through 5 years old). It's a Christian organization, but open to anyone. To my knowledge, all groups meet in the evenings. You can check it out online to see if you have a local group.
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we SAHM 's want to meet during the day cause that is the least busiest time for us. it kinda helps with the stuck in the house boredom issue. yes, staying at home is great, but it can also get stagnant. anything a SAHM can do to get out of the house is great.you should start your own group. find other working moms who you will have things in common with.
I have never understood the concept of a mom's group.
How do you expect to have some "time out" when you're going to someone else's house to talk "mom"? You know?
I realize that I am pretty anti-social in person...I'm nice...I just don't like to be in group situations...but, to me, it sounds silly (I'm not calling any of you who participate silly so please don't misinterpret...the IDEA of a mom group, to me is silly).
Wouldn't it be, if you felt you needed socialization outside of your children...to get those moms to all join in to hire a babysitter for one night a month and go out to dinner and a movie or karaoke night or something?
That way, you're not having to still be *mom*?
If you really want to be excluded from any of these groups....just be a dad. You're shunned by the SAHM's and the working mom's and don't even get me started on MOPS (and yes I checked, there is no DOPS). I've had gaggles of women totally ignore me and my DD at the playground. I had one woman assume that I was a divorced father visiting with their child because I was at the park at 10:00 am on a Friday morning. I really do get tired of it.
I can give you some sympathy on the schedule thing. I work nights and the rest of the world is on a day time schedule. Nothing like the office people scheduling a mandatory management meeting at 09:00 am when I've worked 12 hours the night before and have to be back that same night for another 12 hour shift. Ok...now I'm just whining...I'll stop!
Ed, my husband can totally attest to what you are saying. He works nights as well...
I work Fridays, which gives my DH and boys some "alone" time without me - my DH usually takes them to the community center in our area, the park or Burger King to play on the playscape (they disinfect Friday mornings, so they would go immediately following - lol).
Anyway, he went to BK awhile back with the boys, and there was a really nice mom who spent tons of time talking to him...when he and the boys were ready to leave, she said, "I'm usually here on Fridays if you'd like to meet me for coffee" He told her that he was married and she said "Oh - I assumed you were divorced".
He hasn't been to BK since...lol
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Not sure about your area but there is an organization called Mothers of Preschoolers and different chapters meet at different times. They are supposed to start a night one in our area soon. You can probably just put it in on-line and find one in your area. It's a great place with very supportive women, or so it has been in our area. Good luck!
I hear you and sympathize. I'm a SAHM and am so sorry you feel excluded with your local groups. I know the meeting times are a big issue. But I agree with others with regard to evenings and weekends are also mostly out for me because that's when we do a lot of family stuff. I would recommend signing your child up for a class at a local pool or kid's gym. My kids are all in classes. I know they can be pricey but if you can swing a session or two I think it's a great way to meet moms. That's how I met most of the moms that are currently in my playgroups. And in my area at least places like that usually offer a class on Saturdays and sometimes in the evenings.