The other evening our Toronto Mamas group got together for an evening of mulled wine and minced pies, a cookie exchange, secret santa, food bank donation and (add another item to the agenda here). It was sort of our last ditch effort to fit anything would could into the year before the end! We are nothing if not ambitious!
It was such a lovely evening for the mamas to get together without our littles in tow and we could just chat amongst ourselves. Of course, yes, we talked endlessly about our children anyway! But that wasn't all. The mulled wine was delicious, the food wonderful and the company was only the best. It's hard to believe that we have been in Toronto for over a year now and at the same time, it seems like I have known some of these women longer than that! I guess when we all have children almost exactly the same ages in common, it makes for a strong bond. We go through all the ups and downs together and rely on each other for advice, for venting/sounding boards, share silly stories and cute moments, etc. We can all empathize with each other.
Isn't it funny that just over a year ago, I stood in a park meeting some of these women for the first time, scared (just a little) out of my wits at having to meet new women and make new connections. I felt like I could barely breathe! How to say "Hi. I'm new here." (HINT: Want to be my friend????) And only a couple of months later, they were holding a shower for baby Magdalene, who had just arrived! What a welcoming and supportive little group we've had going. And I just shake my head and laugh that I could be so scared to meet such wonderful people. Ha! You have made our move to Toronto so incredibly worth it, mamas! It truly is a privilege to raise children in this community of moms.
More babies on the way!!!
The cookie exchange!! Hmmmm....
And for mamas who have just recently moved to a new city, there are ways to get connected with other mamas just like you, but it takes a risk, it takes reaching out. Here are a few ways we got connected:
- Early Years - Government Dept of Education runs pre-pre-school programs through the local schools. A good way to meet people (especially initially) and create connections.
- Meetup.com works through your location to find groups in your area. Also a good way to start a group that others can join and meet at various locations to become familiar with each other.
- Facebook Mama buy/sell/swap by location.
- The park - Just take the risk and swap numbers with another mama who seems really interesting and seems interested in you and your family. (Not something that often happens automatically), but, that's how I met one of my good Toronto mamas.
- Church - there are other mamas (and papas) out there who are hoping to connect and sometimes this is a really great way.
And there we are.
ALMOST all of us. Well, ladies, what a wild and wonderful year it's
been, 2014! Let the parties and playdates and random shenanigans
continue!
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