It’s not something I talk a lot about…but it is something I think about. Creating community. And it’s tough.
Sure, in the age of Facebook and Instagramliciousness and Tweeter (or whatever it’s called), it’s really easy to know other people’s business. I could know what Betty Sue Welker’s two-year-old was doing with that bottle of moisturizer and the cat and what she thought of Magic Mike’s opening scene…but real community? The kind that you can sit and share and celebrate the parts of you and others that make you laugh or cry or whatever, really interacting with flesh-n-blood people? I feel like there is a loss of that these days. I know the info. I wanna know how my friends sound when they giggle…or miss their family…or how they cheer on their kids. It’s like the in Blast from the Past when the couple finally gets out of the bomb shelter and finally is able to look out from their porch and see all of Pasedena. It’s the same….but it’s so so different.
Maybe it’s because I was homeschooled. Maybe it’s because at my very core, I am a simple girl who stays at home with a toddler all day. Maybe it’s because I thrive off just a smidge of social interaction. Whatever the reason…I feel a need for community in my very bones.
And that is the sole reason why I wanted to start a play group. That and I am too cheap to join the ones that charge ya $30 a month just to hang out at a fast food joint or visit the fire station.
I confessed to my mom that I really wanted to start one….just a gathering of women and their kids….and she, being the awesome mother that she is, really encouraged me. She was a stay-at-homie with four kids, so I think she really understands that feeling of loneliness and isolation that can come with being chained to your diaper bag. She quickly volunteered her services as music teacher if I started a play group.
You guys should know – if kids were dogs, my mom is like the meat truck. They are drawn to her. And she was thrilled to be able to put together thirty minute sessions once a week and lead us in song (it’s a mommy&me kinda class for the four and unders – but all ages are welcome!).
A few of y’all have asked about how to start one of these play groups…so that is what this post is about. Here is just some rough info on what we do…obviously, I would be thrilled if others started groups. Everyone needs community. It’s a fact. If you feel called in your heart to start one, I encourage you to start small and just be consistent….it’s really not a numbers thing…it’s a connection thing.
We start off inside in our basement. We have an old remnant piece of carpet that we tore outta the Jack room and saved for…well…whatever. Now we use it to cush the tush during the music class. My mom leaves her small box of props in the basement. They are all homemade visual aides for the class and a few fun things like scarves and feathers for the kids to use.
Anyone could lead music class as long as you have the words to some simple songs and a no fear of singing in public 🙂 After music class is over, usually we put the snack out on the table leading to the backyard. It’s nice to have it inside (in case of bugs)…and all the kids just take a plate and their food and go outside to eat.
I don’t bake snacks. Usually another mom volunteers….and I happily accept whatever they bring (secretly praying it’s either porky or carby!). I do provide water or lemonade for all the moms….and the cups and plates and whatever serving stuff the guests need.
I am loving the big table outside…the kids can gather around that to eat if they want…
Or we just use it for craft time. I also don’t organize that.
This craft was awesome because Jessica brought everything the kids needed and all of them loved it (ages 1 thru 9)….probably because it was messy. Kids love messy crafts, don’t they?
I keep a stash of stuff right near the back door. Jer’s parents were getting rid of this old tv unit and I jumped on it. Now it holds all the play group gear….including the most important and used item – scissors. Something has gotta open the popsicles 🙂
Speaking of popsicles…it’s always a good idea to have a bin for toys….a cooler for waters and popsicles….a place for kids to sit and a trash can.
I also love being able to use our new furniture for lounging with the other moms. After craft is over, we sit and talk while the kids run amok. It’s pretty amazing to use words like “agenda” and “workload” and “circumvent” with people who understand them…
Excuse the photos…they were taken as I decorated for the Tuesday play group before fourth of July. Hence the immense feeling of pledging allegience you have right now.
One of the biggest hits we’ve had is just pulling out the hose and the sprinkler. It is like a magnet for kids of all ages. None of the activities are a big deal or overly planned or extravagant. Children are simple…and they just want to be together.
I tell the moms that they can bring lunch if they want or they can stay as long as they want…it’s really flexible. Most times, it lasts from 10ish to 12:30ish….one is like the universal naptime…so most people head home after that. And it truly is low-maintenance. Once a week I vaccuum the basement rug and clean the bathroom and spray down the eating areas. Other than that, I chuck the trash and provide water and popsicles…and toilet paper….I should be clear on that 🙂 But really the thirty minutes of prep work is well worth the company of friends.
Overall – I think it’s a great start to creating community. I have to work on making sure people know about it and remind folks (I’m absolutely horrendous about reminders). But in my heart, I know that I don’t wanna raise Will without a group that loves him. Afterall – people are the sugar in our popsicle of life 🙂
This is great. I’ve kind of missed out on this as my kids have gotten older (6 and 9 now). Most playdates are just “drop off” now. We have started letting our daughter (the oldest) invite a group of friends over once a month for a hang-out (swimming in the summer). The kids don’t have much time to talk during school.
Nice post! What a great way to step out of the ‘comfort zone’ of virtual relationships!
Thank you for sharing! You’ve inspired me to start one once we finish moving! (And side note…I had that exact tv armoire, but I kinda took it apart and made a headboard…and art work, and shelves in my closets – but only because we found a “new” one curbside that I refinished!
I love this idea! How did you get the group started? Are all of the mom’s friends or family or did you put a posting out inviting people to your group?
Love the idea of a play group. I live in western mass and there are not any home (cheap) ones around here either. you make it look easy. I am prego with #2 also and I am hoping to stay home once she is born. if I do get to stay home (hubby and I are still in discussions)….1st thing on my list is to start a play group!!!!! Also I noticed you like the Aqua Globes….you can do the same thing with wine bottles. I have them in all the plants in my house. and you can decorate the bottles any way you want. I hope you are felling well! enjoy!!!!
Miss Katie, you have taken the thoughts right out of my head. I miss people and laughter and communication. Can I pretend to be a part of your group?? I make great cupcakes!! Too bad I live in Canada 🙂
I love this! A bunch of moms from my church and I get together at various parks and playgrounds throughout the summer- it’s SUCH a sanity saver! Plus.. today we went to a sprinkler park and had such a good time. It was so much fun that ALL THREE OF MY KIDS ARE SLEEPING! AT THE SAME TIME! This NEVER happens (I have a 1, 5, and 7 yr. old). I get bloggy time today!! You are so sweet and I love your ideas for playgroup 🙂 Keep up the sanity savers!
Hey Katie,
How did you advertise for the play group? Are these friends or did you place an ad? I recently moved to Massachusetts and have zero friends here. Would love to know!
That is so awesome! I’ve been a stay at home mom in Cumming for more than 4 years and it’s still a struggle to connect with other moms. I have to really make a conscious effort to get out and meet new people, and I am a major introvert so that’s not always so easy to do! Do you guys let 5 year olds come play? 🙂
This looks fantastic. Every mum needs a good group or few groups of women with children to keep them sane and help us to grow as Mums by seeing the good job we can do (without making us feel like under achievers or that we are in some kind of parenting competition). Good support and community is vital to me with my 5year old and the fact you have made the effort to set this up shows just how much you care
Katie,
I would love to join your playgroup if you’ll have us. I have a three year old and we are always looking for ways to get out of the house and interact with others. Plus we live nearby! 🙂
Jen
Wow, Katie! You make this look and sound sooo easy. You have the perfect home and beautiful backyard to host. The most amazing thing is how you describe taking a few elements and putting them together to create a sense of community.
I have an 18 month old toddler man and another on the way – so it will be fun to see how this evolves for you as you transition from mommy of 1 to mommy of 2. This post was particularly inspring and FUN!
Beautifully done and thank you for sharing.
I wish I was nearby b/c I sure could use a playgroup. I have been a stay at home mom for over 6 years and let me tell you it is isolating and lonely. I am not from Buffalo, where I live, so I dont really know a lot of people, and the ones I do, work and dont seem to care to do anything. How did you find the families that come to your playgroup?
So glad the playgroup is working out for you. I work from home full-time and so I have to not only take my son to my Mom’s to be watched while I work, but I also have no real-people connection while I am working. It can makes for some lonesome time. So I crave going out around other people once the weekend hits and I love talking to my Mom friends at Church on Sunday. I wish I could do more.
Well Done You for starting a group for mums and children. A noble achievement and harder work than what you are saying! I have been Chairperson for our playgroup in the village where I live in the UK so I know it is harder than what you are letting on!
My children are well past that age (now 9 and 6) and the children that they went to playgroup with, went to the same pre-school and now the same school. Girls and boys alike they are firm friends. And so are us Mums, these are people that have helped me in my worst moments and enjoyed my best ones. These are the people that I can laugh with, not be a mum with, and call on in a dire emergency to pick up the kids, or look after them if necessary.
I can imagine being friends with these Mums that I met when my eldest was 6 months old for life! I am sure you will get the same support from your group too. Good luck with it.
Katie – You have THE BEST home. SOOOOOO jealous over here. Can’t buy much square footage for your buck in Charleston, SC…your place is perfect for playdates and I bet the moms and kids just love spending time there. I wish I was a SAHM so I could start a play group! xoxo
Isn’t it amazing how we can be so connected yet disconnected. Although I’m always on Facebook and Twitter or online chatting with friends, I haven’t sat down and had a real conversation with a friend about how they are doing or how I’m doing or how work really is in a very very very long time.
Can I create a play group for dog-moms?
That’s awesome! I am glad you have found some community. I think we all struggle with that. I know I do anyways. I am looking for it too.
BTW – I just gotta know. What is ‘D’ for? I couldn’t tell in the pictures what fruit/veggie y’all used. Really cute craft!
How did you form the group? Did you already know the parents with kids?
This is a great idea! Even a weekly play date with a few friends is great as long its consistent. I love the home music class idea too. Some PD classes can be expensive, and it is nice to have some “organized” fun too. Great idea!
I completely agree with you about the lack of community in today’s online based culture and most days it really frustrates me. On social networks like Facebook and Twitter it seems like you are making connections and building friendships but I find, a lot of the time, the interactions are one-sided. A “friend” on Twitter says her grandma is ill and I send well wishes. I post that my dad passed away and nothing. Not sure why I expect a reciprocal relationship – perhaps I’m putting too many expectations on my online networks.
Either way, I think it’s awesome that you found a way to create a community of your very own. One that doesn’t require a lot aside from fun for the kids and adult-talk for the parents. And how cool that your mom teaches a little music class?! My husband and I did a Birth & Babies prenatal class before my daughter was born 3 years ago, and a group of us STILL get together once a month for a play date. We always rotate houses and we always bring snacks and it’s great fun.
Keep it up!!
I was thinking of moving somewhere far away, as I have too many people around me.. some that I really don’t like. But after reading this I think I am not appreciating the company I have. Thank for making me feel blessed :).
Enjoy the new people in your little circle.
How did you connect with mom’s that wanted to join? This looks great and what a perfect entertaining space you have!
I love this!! I live in Alpharetta, Ga and I swear my neighborhood hates each other. I’m scared to have kids because they wont have anyone to play with. Maybe I will start a playgroup one day.
So, my question is… how did you find your people? Were you already friends with the mamas & you just had the suggestion of getting together regularly? Meet them at the grocery store? Run an ad? 🙂
I agree that community is important, and is hard to build – especially living where I do, and not in a subdivision at that!
Tips?
Katie, I loved this post. I feel the same way! I love being social to my very core. I think that’s partly why I love blogging and social media. With that being said there is nothing like creating a community of friendship and warmth among a community and nieghborhood. Good for you creating such a welcome and low key event. So many people get caught up in having people over. This is simple and perfect!
I have wanted to join a moms group for some time now, but I too find they either charge an arm and a leg or you have to belong to their church to join. Not that I’m against church, but I’m pretty sure joining a church so you can join their moms group is a sin??!!? Anyway, you have inspired me to start one now! But…who did you ask to join? Only people you already knew? I don’t know many people where I live so I’m not sure where to start.
Yet another reason I want to be a stay-at-home-mom. Play dates sound wonderful.
This makes me happy 🙂
Not to be dramatic or anything, but I would DIE without my life group. We meet every week and it is my source of encouragement, laughter, and fun and it also provides a safe place to vent and seek advice. Community is crucial.
It’s so funny that you just posted this because as I was on my morning commute with my little guy I was thinking about how hard it is for me to make friends with kids in our city. I work 30 minutes from the city we live in and we have lots of friends in that city, as well as other places farther south. But we have no friends that live close by. I always see other people posting about girls nights and group get togethers where the kids are all playing together and it kind of bums me out. I totally thought this morning, “Hmm, I wonder how Katie handles it since they moved out of the city and her BFF lives far away…”
Looks like you’ve found a great solution! 🙂
I have sweet memories of my very first playgroup with my now 11 year old. I very much looked forward to every Thursday at 10 a.m. One day I showed up at the park for our playgroup and no one was there. I realized that it had been cancelled that week and then I actually cried.
you are awesome! I can’t find any playgroups around me and have been thinkig of starting one but I thought it would be so much work b/c I tend to want to go over board with ‘party prep’ You might have inspired me to get off my butt. Will your mom travel to CT once a week? Yeah probably not. Maybe she could do a guest post with some ideas for songs. Right now I go to our library and it depends on which librarian is running the show for if it is fun or not
That’s really awesome you created your own play group! And your Mom is just the best at being so supportive and being so willing to help out!
How did you meet them all? Do they host,too?
Great idea! 🙂
I love my playgroups, I have 3! I am in Australia and mothers group / playgroup is formed here straight after you have your babies. The local child health nurse holds a local little session at her offices for 4 sessions and then it’s up to us to decide what to do next, by this stage you have bonded well with the other mums, so it’s great. It’s been really lovely watching the babies grow up, we started meeting when our babies were around 4 weeks old, now my oldest is nearly 3 and we still meet up once a week. I think it’s really great for the mums and the kids amd can’t recommend a playgroup highly enough!! Glad you are enjoying yours too Katie 🙂 your so good to host it every week!!! Mine we take turns at each others houses.
what a great idea! I don’t have children yet, but this is a great idea for whenever I do end up having kids. you’ve done a great job!
What a cool idea Katie! I will definitely be doing something like this when I have kids. For sure. Extravert necessity!
So Sweet! Good for you for taking initiative and following your heart.
I think this is a lovely idea. Most of my old friends don’t have kids and don’t really understand how different life is once you have them. I crave a group like this, but don’t really know how to get it started. How did you find other mommies? Did you already have this group of friends?
Here’s to starting a community. It was very brave of you. Congratulations.
I’ve been reading your blog again for just a little while now. (Started again when I was in Gwinnett County recently and John and Sherry were posting pictures from there, so I was curious what part of Gwinnett County you lived in. But then searching your blog reminded me that I really enjoy reading your blog, so I’m newly subscribed. Your writing style is great!)
I was thinking about community – having people over – really connecting – just earlier today. I miss that so much. We moved across the country last year (NOT to Gwinnett County, which was actually my first choice), and it’s been really hard to find a new sense of community after leaving our homes/family/friends of all our lives. I think it’s really awesome that you took steps to make improvements in that area. It can be difficult to just put ourselves out there like that (or is that just me?). Congrats on making a difference!
What a great idea Katie! I am in Australia and missed out on the organised mothers group thing as I had complications after my c-section, however a group of us used to meet once a week, taking turns of houses doing lunch. Then that stopped as a few moved away. When Charlotte was 18 months I joined a playgroup and ending up running it for 3 years. I always wished I had my own at home though! You have inspired me to start my own IF our IVF is successful for baby #2
You have the most perfect set up for a playgroup!!
Wonderful! Love that you took the initiative here. You’re creating local relationships that can last a lifetime.
What a great post! As a SAHM for 5 years now, my playgroups have been a huge source of so many wonderful memories & great times. The groups we attend are also the kind that were just started by other moms who were looking for fun & friendship. I have a HUGE burden in my heart for moms in my community who may not originally be from the area or may be new moms w/out many connections. I never want anyone to feel alone or like they are not welcome. I LOVE meeting new friends and being able to share in this wonderful adventure with other moms who totally understand each other & are there for one another. I LOVED how you wrote ” I wanna know how my friends sound when they giggle”……EXACTLY!!! Facebook is wonderful but it’s so much more awesome to meet one of your FB “friends”, neighbors or fellow community members in person and build real relationships w/ them!! In fact, I have met some really awesome girls who I know will be lifelong friends all because “a friend of a friend”on Facebook, a blog,etc., put together a playgroup :)) Good luck w/ yours and may it truly be a blessing to everyone involved!!
Community is crucial for women at every stage of life-new moms, school aged moms, empty nesters with college kiddoes…
It’s so easy to make your life all about your kids- then BAM -they are outta here.
I like how you are “being the change that you wish to see in the world…” enjoy!
This is one of the cutest and most wonderful support systems I’ve ever heard of. Go Australia!
This is absolutely the sweetest thing I’ve read in a very, very long time. You can definitely get caught up in the online version of your friends that you forget who they really truly are. My girlfriends and I don’t have children yet but I’m ready to reschedule regular ladies’ nights after this post! 🙂
Have a wonderful evening!
Emily
How I wish I lived closer to join in all the fun with my little guy! Hmmm, road trip ha-ha! I am involved in the International MOMS Club and it’s only 20 bucks a year. It has definitely been a great way to meet a bunch of Mom’s quickly. They have clubs all over the world. I’m very impressed you started your own Mom’s club! You impress me a lot though, so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised 🙂
Hi Katie,
Do you mind my asking how you found the moms in your group? Are they people you already knew? I’d love to start a group but I literally know no one with kids even close to my sons age.
So were these your friends prior to the playgroup? Otherwise, how did you meet or find them? I always thought you ” didnt have any friends” your words not mine lol…
Just asking cause I do not have many either…
Haha…actually I do have a lot of friends. It’s weird…I’m just not naturally good with girls but I do have quite a few I would call friends. And some of them are prior friends…some are neighbors…some are friends of friends…some are church folks…not everyone knows each other but everyone knows someone.
xo – kb
Some of them are peeps I knew already…some are just people in the neighborhood or from church or friends of friends. I have even invited people from the local playground before…
xo – kb
I had some of them…some are friends of friends…some are church folks I just met…some are neighbors. I typically invite anyone…my only requirement is that they kinda know someone (point of comfort is what I call it)…even if it’s only by name 🙂
xo – kb
It’s not just you! It’s universal I think 🙂
xo – kb
I am the only one hosting right now – since it’s my mom coming over for the music portion…and she tends to get lost easily. And most of the attendees are just folks I know, friends of friends, church people I meet, neighbors with kids, etc.
xo – kb
The libraries are awesome! We keep making plans to go for story time too! And I’ll definitely see if she could come up with a list of songs….maybe that could be something I list on Facebook 🙂
xo – kb
haha…I don’t think it’s wrong to join a church moms group if you don’t go there. A body of believers should be eager to serve others in that way! Just my two cents. And I originally just told some friends I already knew but then we all started inviting random friends and neighbors…it’s different crowd each week 🙂 Maybe you could start with one other friend you already know and one new person…a planned activity can be a big draw!
xo – kb
It’s not really a join thing…it’s more of a show up thing 🙂 And most folks are friends of friends, church friends, neighbors, etc.
xo – kb
I would totally invite folks at the grocery store…or playground…or facebook or whatever. I invite neighbors I just met and tell friends to tell friends. I’m certain that there are other people out there that just want to connect…it’s just a matter of putting yourself out there…even when it feels uncomfortable at first 🙂
xo – kb
Haha…it’s DATE 🙂
xo – kb
Sure! Why not!
xo – kb
Katie, I so understand what you mean by needing a sense of community. I am a new stay at home mom, and I feel you when you say you just stay at home with a toddler all day and how lonely that can be. You’ve definitely inspired me to step out of my comfort zone and meet other moms in our community. Not to be weird, but I think we’d be great friends if we lived closer. 🙂
Absolutely. It’s probably best you don’t come anyway – I would totally hoard the cupcakes 🙂
xo – kb
Are you taking applications? 😉
What a wonderful thing! How great for all of the kids to get to do a music class and interact with a diverse group of other kids. Since moving to ATL 3 years ago, it still seems the only people I hang out with are co-workers. It is hard to find other like minded friends and mommies, but like you said, playgrounds are a great place to meet others. What a wonderful hostess you are – fun times!
This is great…I love that you have such a big variety of ages, too. They inadvertently teach each other things (most of it good!).
I couldn’t agree more! I am a transplant in my state and I have a 4 month old daughter. I’m trying desperately to start playgroups here, but I keep hitting dead ends. For example, I went to one at a local family center today and I was the only one in attendance. From what my friends tell me, they just aren’t that common here. So sad! I applaud you starting one and I think your kids will love it to- I know I still have fond memories of mine, and some of our closest family friends are the families of the children in my sister’s playgroup. Bravo!
Sweet Katie,
I really enjoy your blog, but just wanted to say that you struck a cord with this post.
God bless you and your family 🙂
All the best,
georgia
Isn’t it sad that you have to pay tons of money to socialize??? It’s crazy!!!! I love that you are able to have a group like this. Moms need to vent/use big words/feel connected and kids need to have time away from mama too! Congrats on a wonderful idea! Once we find a home with, well a back yard and extra space, I’d love to start a group like this! Thanks for the tips and inspiration!!
Awww! It looks like the kiddies are having so much fun! I wish that I lived in the area so my daughter and I could come play 🙂 Canada is a bit of a commute…
Great post! I’m totally with you on how important community is. It’s so important for adults too, not just kids. My husband and I actually found new jobs so we could move to be near a church that we grew to love in college because of the sense of community the church has. The church has a lot of “com groups” (com is short for community) to go to and it makes such a huge difference when you have fellow believers to live life with and be real with…ya know not just put on a face Sunday morning, but really be real with each other…the good, the bad, and the ugly 🙂 I can’t tell you how much it has blessed my marriage and friendships around us. And I look forward to passing that sense of community on to our kids one day! Thanks for the reminder 🙂
Thanks- you are a brave girl! What a great way to make new friends! 🙂
Oh my. This is totally up my alley. One) I deleted my fb account for multiple reasons but one of them was so that I would force myself to reach out to people and interact, face to face. Two) I started a Friday morning playgroup with 7 other moms (we have 16 kids between us) and I love it! It’s just during the summer when a lot of the mom’s have the day off but I plan a new outing each week and I try to make it as cheap as possible while still being really fun. It’s so fun to see the kids’ friendships forming and a deeper connection with us, as moms. Love to hear of other moms reaching out to each other and finding new ways to connect! Way to use what God has blessed you with Katie!
Thanks for sharing this! I am moving to a new neighborhood and would love to organize something like this to meet the neighbors and create some fellowship that I have always craved. As a working mom, I don’t really get to connect that much with other moms that I don’t work with and have been craving something lately, well always.
Thanks for the idea! I love this.
So this has nothing to do with your play group (although I think it is an awesome idea and something I hope I can have when we have kids), BUT I LOVE your outdoor furniture. I know that you made the long table, but where did you get the two chairs and the loveseat? That is exactly what I am looking for for our patio. If you could fill me in I would love you forever…OK, I’ll probably love you forever anyways because I am already hooked on your blog!
Heck, I am local to you and want to come to play group…and I don’t have children! I LOVE doing crafts and games and things like that with my niece, but she if 4 hours away. 🙁
she IS 4 hours away. I cannot type today.
katie—
as a mom who enjoyed the benefits of a great playgroup, you have no idea how much these woman will mean to you as your child becomes school age. i have an amazing resource in these woman. they will become your pta friends and probably lifelong friends!
I think you are doing a fabulous job Katie! Creating a community is so important. I remember when we were kids (computer hasn’t taken over yet) we’d play outside for hours upon hours and now….kids are so glued to the computer/tv….which isn’t necessarily a good thing. You and other moms out there taking the initiative to create a great community w/ kids is really wonderful. Keep it up hun!
This is…well, awesome. Your comments about community are right on point. I would love to organize something like this but for us it’s a question of time. Not to get on the “I’m so busy train” but between school, teaching, gigging and a full-time working husband, it’s been a little preoccupying. Also, we moved to AZ after living in Germany for 8 years and one of the problems with living off post is that it’s hard to meet people, specifically people with little people in tow. Our non-military neighbors are fine, but they don’t want to get attached because they know we’re leaving. Our church is fantastic, but there aren’t a lot of little kids. Any chance I can live vicariously through someone else and you invite a military mama who lives off-post to your group? Have all the fun-ness in the world!
i live in CT!!! (& just moved here… if you’re near the capital- lets connect)
Long time reader seldom commenter. Just wanted to say even as a non-mom, single reader you’ve made me feel very inspired this morning. Most of my friends are the more traditional married with kids type and I’ve often thought it’d be nice to have some ppl to interact with that have situations similar to mine. I’m just gonna go for it…put a post out for a social group! Thanks.
Great advice! Thank you:)
My mother and a group of her friends did this back when my younger siblings were little. It was every Friday morning from 9am-11:30am and they always let us older kids come on Fridays we had off and lead the art portion. I LOVED that part.
They ended up “renting” a seniors community space that was happy to give it to them for Friday mornings if they helped with the upkeep. I think they all put in like 5 bucks a month towards cleaning supplies, etc and took turns bringing in crafts and snacks. They even had big buckets of toys that people with older children donated (or cheap finds from garage sales). They did a bi-monthly “toy cleaning party”where they got together on a Friday night (just the moms), drank wine, ate potluck and cleaned toys.
I know that all my siblings and my mom really loved those Friday mornings (and my mom loved those Friday night gabfests!). My brother even met his best friend there (when they were both still in the womb!) and they are now at the same university together – still friends all these years.
Fantastic idea, Katie! I have been enjoying reading your blog for a while now but have never commented. I just thought this post deserved a comment! I’m so looking forward to things like this once I have children of my own! Great job, and you have the perfect home/basement/yard for a whole bunch of kids! 🙂 wish I still lived in Georgia … 🙂
This was a great article. I live in a new city with zero family and little friends (what I would do to have a family like yours and have them so near!). I’m a stay at home mom too and feel so very lonely and isolated. We live in a small house with a small yard so having play dates at our home really isn’t a possibility. Will is very lucky to have you, your family, and that gorgeous home!
I love this idea/post! I definatley agree, what happened to people spending time with their neighbors/friends in person and not over the text of social media.
I have been missing that interaction as well lately. I am not a stay at home mom, but I am a stay at home employee….and while its nice to take conference calls and conduct meetings over the phone or webcam I miss the interaction of other people. My 4 yr old is in preschool but when she comes home she wants to play with other kids…but all the kids stay inside! What happened to kids playing outside, riding bikes, ringing doorbells and running???
Anyway, this is a great great idea. If Alpharetta (where we live) isnt too far from you, please invite me to your next community gathering – LOL!!
That looks like so much fun. I love having mommy groups. So impressed you’re keeping it up while pregnant!
Good for you Katie! Looks like a great time : )
ryanres1
I just got a new job and munchkin and I are moving almost 400 miles away from GA…Not sure how much time I will have with the new job plus munchkin starts kindergarten a week after we get there. If I think too much about leaving all my friends and family I get massive anxiety. We literally don’t know a soul! I will have to look for a mom group that meets on weekends. Thanks for the pick me up Katie:-)
I may love our playgroup more than my kids! I think I’ve read before you live in Georgia? My SIL is moving there next week….north, her husband is starting a new job as a soccer coach at “Young Harris College?” She has 1yr old twins and is looking to meet other moms. Are you anywhere near?
So awesome that you posted about this! My mom-and-baby and now mom-and-tot playgroups have made this experience for me in so many ways. Your playgroup looks awesome– and as many times as you said that it’s casual, it seems much more organized than ours. We need to start doing more planned activities I think!
I can totally relate to missing connection in this day and age. I work evenings and weekends while most of my friend work the normal 9-5er, so my off time can get pretty lonely. I really love that you took this into your own hands and created a wonderful time.
and also, your patio area is perfection.. I think i’d leave all the patriotic-ness ALL the time it’s that cute.
First off, I have extreme yard envy. SO MUCH SPACE!!! But anyways, you should think about getting a trampoline one day. They are amazing! And on hot days, you throw in a sprinkler with it and it will be like you struck kid-busy-forever gold! I have four boys (10,6,4,1) and it keeps the top 3 busy for FOREVER! And FYI- You can score one on Black Friday/Thanksgiving Thursday evening for like half the normal price for future reference. Thanks so much for putting so much time into such a fun blog!
Hey Katie,
I just want to let you know that you really inspire me. You inspire me to craft, take more pictures of my son (even when he isn’t doing anything), and just slow down and enjoy the moment. Also, you have shown me to enjoy my family more (no matter how crazy they are), to laugh more, to love my husband more (even when we fight) and to just love the world more. This post just shows how good of a person you are I feel like you should hear it more often! We are getting ready to buy our first home and love everything you do and are taking a lot of ideas that you have done in the past. I can’t wait till it is complete so we can also have our very own home.
Now let’s count how many times I typed “more”
Xo Melissa
I love trampolines…hopefully one day!
xo – kb
Unfortunately no. I think Young Harris is about two hours at least from here 🙁
xo – kb
Aww thanks Melissa. You are so sweet! Totally made me blush.
xo – kb
haha…I know. I was like that too before Will. Of course, a playgroup would have been difficult to get out of work for 🙂
xo – kb
It’s our new patio furniture from Target. Here is the link to the post about it!
xo – kb
I just texted the other moms to let them know what I was doing and invited them to invite friends too. Then I just started telling people I had just met about it. It’s been fun 🙂
xo – kb
Most of them are friends or friends of friends or church folks or neighbors.
xo – kb
We just use word of mouth…no advertising.
xo – kb
It’s just been word of mouth…friends of friends and such. Nothing formal 🙂
xo – kb
I second Heather – what a great public service!!
Katie…I’m dying to know if you are having a little girl or boy! I’m a month behind you and found out today…so do spill the beans!
Okay, I have to ask because it’s making me crazy!
It’s probably very simple, but I just can’t get it!
A=apple
B=blueberries
C=carrots
D=?????
What was that purpley D???
😀
This is great- I want to join! If you’re looking for more mamas, let me know. I’m outside of Atlanta as well and have a 3 yr old and 10 month old who are very busy and mischevious but very very adorable 😉
Katie,
Are you looking for more people to join? My almost 2 year old son, Noah, and I live not too far from you. I have been searching for something like this for so long!
Karyn
Dates!
xo – kb
Agreed with all of this! What a great thing to do! How did you get people to come? Is it just all your friends? I wanna come! I have a 20 mo old and im looking for sonethong to do eith hom. And my 5 yr old starts kindergarten this year. I did so much with my older child when he was little, this ones getting the short end of the stick with that sorta thing. is there info for this?
Pretty cool setup for a play group. But how did you actually find the people to go with your setup? Were they all befriended parents before, or did you post online, or what?
That is exactly what I have been craving for – a community!! For my kids as well as for me. That is wonderful to see that you are doing such as great job providing such a cozy place and learning and fun environment for them.
I don’t have children, so I can’t even say I relate to this..but I think your playgroup sounds AWESOME..and Iwanttocome.
I also love your blog but have never commented. I love this idea of creating community. I’m just wondering – how do you go about finding people? Did you put an ad on Craigslist? Put up posters in your community? Or just knew people from church? Once I have my own kiddos, I’d love to do this also, but worry about how to go about inviting people. Thanks!
Thanks for the reply!
Such an inspiring post! I’m thinking I might have to try this with the moms from my workout group! Not that you are busy or anything, so any chance you could share more about what you do during the music time? Our group is a bit younger, a bunch of 1 year olds, and I’m looking forward to these little ones growing up together over the next couple years before school.
Katie, you are amazing. Has anyone told you that lately? I literally put out a personal ad in our local classifieds looking for other mommas and no one responded. It was humiliating (I mean, really, a personal ad?), but mostly I was sad for my daughter. I remember growing up with a huge group of friends that didn’t go to our school or church and my mom said they created a play group with the women from her Lamaze class she took with my older sister and it just kept growing as they kept popping out babies. How I long for such a sense of community! I told my husband I’m going to try again in a couple months. Why have a homey house (not nearly as large as yours) if we can’t fill it with friends? You have inspired me- it is worth it to not give up!
And can I just tell you, my daughter is getting quite the big head these days. She noticed that you liked a couple pictures of her on Facebook and she said she’s all hot stuff now that such a celeb likes her pics 🙂
It’s different each week and honestly I am so not musically inclined…so I couldn’t remember if I tried.
xo – kb
Just friends of friends, church folks, neighbors, etc.
xo- kb
Just word of mouth between friends.
xo – kb
Just friends and friends of friends and word of mouth.
xo – kb
Don’t give up! We’ve had a week that only one other mom showed up. And we’ve had weeks where my mom runs outta props for the music bit…it’s all varied!
xo – kb
Email me Karyn!
xo – kb
I was going to ask the same thing! Phew, glad I skimmed the other comments first, before losing sleep over those darned dates ;
I joined a free site called meetup.com that somebody told me about. It has all kinds of groups (more than just mommy groups). Most of them charge a small fee (ours is $10 a year) to keep the subscription up. But it lets you post meetups (playdates), rsvp, sends reminders. It’s a great service! Especially when you move and have to find a new community.
Thanks Katie!!
Ditto everything you said, well done Katie!