How to Find a Preschool Playgroup

Want to ask someone for advice about your 2-year-old or 3-year-old? Or maybe you wouldn't mind comparing stories about your kid's tantrums or milestones. When the often isolating bubble of still-new motherhood hits, it can be so helpful and comforting to have other mothers to socialize and relieve stress with, especially if your baby has entered the toddler years.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

1. Try word of mouth to find the selection of mothers you get along best with. Use your church, volunteer organization, work or spouse's work to find out if any group of moms meets in playgrounds in your town or area. Talk to neighbors you've seen with small children.
2. Speak up at your child's preschool and say that you are looking for a playgroup. Chat up the idea at an older sibling's elementary school. Lots of moms care for younger siblings and would like an outlet. Many cooperative preschools also have organized toddler and preschool playgroups.
3. Check your local library and city hall for bulletin boards. Post your own notice with contact information. Most preschool playgroups meet once weekly and rotate locations. It's a great way to discover new parks and other kid-friendly venues. Some city halls (usually in smaller towns) even have leads on playgroups that are forming or have already formed, if you ask.
4. Check Craigslist under "childcare" or "community" and post a notice that you are forming a preschool-age playgroup, or check out one that is already listed.

Tips & Warnings

• Be open to meeting moms of all kinds with all kinds of philosophies. The more open and tolerant you are, the better chance you have of finding a group. You may be surprised at how well everybody gets along.