I AM THE MOTHER OF AN 18 MONTH OLD BOY
I JUST MOVED TO FL LAST MONTH. AND ITS NOT EASY TO MEET NEW PEOPLE ESPECIALLY WITH ABABY. ANY SUGGESTIONS

Jennifer,

I don't live in Florida but I can offer you some ideas on where to go to hook up with other parents (some may be SPs some not but the point is connecting yes?).

When I had my first child I found a "Mom & Tots" group. I found mine through my local health unit that was offering courses on parenting for first timers. Given that the American health care system is different this may not be available through a health unit but some other possibilities are local community centres (the Y is a possibility), your local library (which likely has a story time for wee ones -- notice boards are also good for finding out what's going on for parents of young children in your community), local churches (if you are open to getting involved in a church). Also, check out your yellow pages for play groups, Gymboree etc. If you have a gym membership they often have babysitting and you have the potential for meeting other parents using the service. Strike up conversations with parents with similar aged children at the park, find out if there is a local "Parents Without Partners" chapter near you (they hae a website -- I forget the exact address but if you search it on google.com (or any internet search engine) it should put you on the right track.

That's all I can think of for now. Good luck and have fun making connections -- with an 18 month old on your own it's a great way to stay sane!

M

Hi, we are practically neighbors. I live in Boca Raton which is about 15 minutes from you. We actually have plenty to do here. There are all kinds of mommy & me classes. Gymnastics, play groups, things to do at your library (they usually have a rack with all of the recent happenings) look in the paper especially on Friday in the Sun-Sentinel, flip through the showtime section and you will see all the current and upcoming things to do. Also in S. Fla. Parenting magazine (Free) there is all kinds of things to do. Good luck and hope to talk to you.