We’ve all heard the saying “it takes a village” when it comes to raising a child, but finding/creating your own can be hard when you’re new in town. Here are some tips to help you find the support you need in order to take some of the stress off of being a parent in a new city:
HEAD TO THE PARK
A general rule of thumb is where there are kids, there are moms. Round up your munchkins and take them to the local park, pool, or museum. You’re bound to bump into some other moms in need of social contract with humans over the age of 10. Don’t be shy–a great ice breaker is the fact that you’re new to the area.
LET THE KIDS DO THE WORK
Sometimes, it can be awkward approaching fellow adults out of the blue, but if your kid wants a playdate, that’s a different story. Insist on meeting your child’s playmate’s parents. Kids are smart, and chances are if they like the kid, you might like the person who raised her.
GET INVOLVED AT SCHOOL
PTA meetings, fundraisers, and sporting events are a great way to be involved in your child’s education, but also a great way to meet other moms with similar values. Not only will your child benefit from the support of having your involvement, but you can find the support you need from other moms through friendship.
HEY! VINA
You’re already on the website-–why not get on the app? Hey! VINA was designed for women looking for friendship. Select from one of the communities, like stay at home moms or working moms, and find other women looking to expand their village!
The key to the village is connecting all the villagers, so if you meet a few moms in different circles, work on ways to bring them together. Host a biweekly book club, throw a monthly barbecue, or always go to the same park on the same day. Chances are other moms in your group are in need of the same support you’re looking for, so be creative in getting them all together!
Be active and proactive, and you’ll have your village in no time! Have any advice for moms in a new city? Let us know in the comments!
(Feature image via Pinterest)
