| Staying at home with your kids is a rewarding | | | | Keep the day/time consistent so that it will not |
| experience. Sometimes you and your kids need | | | | interfere in the children’s' schedules (nap, sleep, |
| interaction with the outside world. One way to do this | | | | mommy time) |
| that is both a benefit to your children and yourself is to | | | | Schedule public play dates at your local park, story |
| create or join a playgroup. This gives your child(ren) | | | | time at the local bookstore, swimming pools, etc... This |
| valuable interaction that is needed to develop his/her | | | | will take the monotony out of it. |
| social skills. In addition it gives you an excellent | | | | Bring the necessary change of clothes, diapers, and |
| opportunity to converse with adults. We all know what | | | | snacks. |
| it's like to be at home all day with no adult interaction. | | | | Going Online to find playgroups: |
| Playgroups can be found or formed at local | | | | Playgroup matching sites are springing up on the |
| community centers, church organizations, and mutual | | | | Internet. These allow you to look for other moms |
| friends and online. If you have friends or family with | | | | looking for playgroups to join based on city and/or zip |
| children the same age then you have the makings of a | | | | code. One such playgroup search is at |
| possible playgroup. If not, then you can go to your | | | | MommiesCloset.Com's Playgroups database. This site |
| community center, church or online playgroup search | | | | as with others allow you to both join existing |
| to look for other moms with the same interests. | | | | playgroups and to create playgroups for other moms |
| In addition to setting up playdates, this is a good | | | | to join. Some site such as the one mentioned above, |
| avenue to set up girls’ night outs with other | | | | allow you to search by zip code giving a defined radius |
| moms. | | | | to limit your search (i.e. 30 miles from 90210). Many |
| Setting up playmates: | | | | moms are finding these sites extremely useful. |
| Rotate the play date host from each playgroup mom. | | | | Once you have your playgroup, just remember to |
| This will allow the children to interact in different | | | | enjoy yourself and make it an enjoyable experience |
| settings. | | | | for your children. |