desperately seeking

"Active toddler in diapers (ATID) seeking other ATIDs (or without) for regular social interaction, occasional sharing of toys and germs, and maybe a chicken pox party"

This isn't the first time that I thought Madeline ought to write a personal ad since moving to St. John's.  There seems to be a missing cohort of 1 & 2-year olds here. At the one playgroup we sometimes go to, there are lots of preschoolers, and a handful of babies, but it's a lucky day when there is another toddler or two there.  Nothing against infants and preschoolers, but putting all ages together in one room results in a wild craziness that I hadn't experienced before when Madeline was with similarly-aged kids in her actitivies in Calgary. Another challenge of the playgroup at Wedgewood Park here in STJ and of the playgroup at the Y is navigating amongst the mommy-cliques (or the nanny-cliques). I read Bridgermama's post about politics of playgroups a few days ago and I could relate to every little bit of it.  A lot of the times when I do talk to other moms here, I tense up, worrying that somehow the facts that Madeline is *still* nursing (formula is a hot seller in Newfoundland, from what I understand) and that her carseat isn't turned forward-facing will escape and I'll be labeled as some weird hippie mom (not that there is anything wrong with being a wild hippie mom - I'm just not cool enough to be one of them).

Happily, Madeline and I have had some positive social experiences of late. I've chatted with some fun young moms of toddlers this week and I hope that I'll chat with them again.  Interestingly, every one of them has moved here within the last year. We've all traded info on where there are swim classes, gymnastics classes, and storytimes in the hopes of finding out where all of the toddlers in this city are hiding ...

Comments

[something blue]

I hope you find some toddlers for your daughter so that she'll have some new buddies.

People shouldn't be so quick to judge. I completely understand about those mommy groups.

[ann]

Finding friends can be so hard...it's much easier to make internet pals than real ones!

[laura]

Funny you say that, Ann :)

[Jaime]

I totally agree with Ann! I met 2 of my friends from the Internet that live here from when we were all getting married. When we were at our one friends baby shower we were suppose to say how we were aquainted with the mom-to-be. My friend and I just laughed saying we weren't going to say to a room full of family that we met her in the Internet. Good luck, I know the judgement a lot of women carry, some can be so catty! Hope the fun young mom's turns out to be a regular group gathering. I luckly with Nikyla's nursery school have met a lot of new mom's in my town.

[laura]

And that's how I know you as well, Jaime :)

[Melisa]

Hi, I live in St.John's... was just surfing and saw your post. I have the same problem... I have an 8 month old son and know little to no one else with similar aged chilren. I went to a similar playgroup (I went to the Kenmount Park location) and it was just as you described... totally aimed at older children. Just wondering if you had any luck finding anything else in the city?

[laura]

Melisa, we went this week to the Parent and Tot swim at the Aquarena, and it was pretty good. Granted, there are all of the same age groups together, but for the most part it works because the pool is an equalizer. Infants, toddlers, and preschooler all need help to practice back floats!

But I still don't have many great ideas. If you can wait four months, Cygnus Gymnastics has a Parent & Tot class for 1-2 year olds. We haven't gone yet - the next session doesn't start until July. And there are Kindermusik classes. They're offered at The Music Studio, but I have left three messages there and no one has called me back to give me the scoop! Provincial Music is taking down names to see if there is enough enrollment to go ahead with a class.

[Tony McGann]

My wife (Jackie Wong) and I recently moved back to St. Johns (living in CBS at present). We have a newborn (8 weeks) a 2 year old and a 4 year old.

We have our 4 year old in Oxford learning centre in Mount Pearl. She's also doing MYC in CBS, and a dance class shared with our 2 year old on the same day at least.

Our 2 year old, and my wife in particular, would be interested to meet other like mothers n tots in the area to get together. Let the kids run around with some toys, have a cup of tea etc. We haven't been able to find much locally in CBS for parents and tots to get together. Anyone know of anything?

When we were in rural Nova Scotia (HRM), they had a municipal funded Wee Bears program that was usually held at a local church hall. Some donated toys, a pot of coffee in the corner, some play with crayons or playdough, and a snack. Couple of days a week. Does anything like this exist in CBS/St. JOhns?

We'd love to hear from anyone with tots in the area. Even those just interested to get together in their homes. We can be reached at 744-3229 or email.

Tony & Jackie

[Nancy]

Just found this while surfing for things to do with my kids. I also live in CBS. I have a 2 year old (she'll be 2 in January) and a 2 month old son. I am trying to find some things for my 2yo to do seeing she is around adults most of the time. I have a friend with a 2yo as well but we have opposite schedules and her daughter bullies mine quite a bit and sometimes it is easier to just not put them together than to listen to mine crying every 5 minutes! It would be great to hear if anyone has found anything around here to do with toddlers.

I did e-mail Dance Studio East about their Moms and Tots class for 2 year olds but I have a feeling that it is one of those classes that they have to have a certain number of inquiries before they will put it off. If I understand it correctly, the next one doesn't start until February.

Nancy