If making friends means waddling out of your comfort zone, you’re not alone. Last year, I was in your shoes — well, sandals, because my feet were swollen. I had moved to Hannibal, Mo., and I was desperate for community as an expectant mother.
Friendships weren’t instant. It took one, two, skip a few MomCo gatherings before I was meeting Gwen and her little Matty for park dates. Hannah commiserated with me through our pregnancies. Aleeta passed on her 17 cloth diaper covers (if you know, you know)! And Lexi held my hand overnight in the ER when things were going very wrong postpartum.
Then we moved to Kansas City, and I needed friends here. But where do you find more Gwens and Hannahs? Other Aleetas and Lexis?
Now I have a good idea.
Lactation Support Groups
Nothing will bond you like the highs and, shall we say, “high-intensity” moments of breastfeeding.
Bring your tiny, hungry wingman to a lactation support group. You’ll meet lactation consultants to coach you through your journey, but you’ll also connect with moms in the same season of spit-ups and milk-drunk smiles.
Most birth centers offer lactation support groups at no cost. Ask during your tour or check with your pediatrician for local options.
The MomCo (The Mom Community)
Tried and truly a blessing, MomCo was my lifeline in that first town. In Kansas City, I was quick to register for another group at Journey Bible Church in Olathe.
This Christian-based ministry, formerly MOPS, has been fostering sisterhood since 1973. Monthly or bi-monthly gatherings include an icebreaker, food, practical teaching through speakers or videos, honest conversations and a craft or service project.
Each group sits together at a round table for meetups. At Journey, rocking chairs were available for nursing moms, and mentor moms — often grandmothers — frequently offer hold your baby while you grab a plate of food or focus on the speaker.
One of the great takeaways from last spring was from a local therapist and fellow mama. She spoke on anxiety and offered a tip: speak in an accent to bring humor to stressful moments. (Crikey, does that ever help, mate.)
Outside of meetups, groups and their assigned mentor mom keep in touch via texts and playdates. Although MomCo follows a school-year calendar, summer playdates keep the connection alive. Evening meetups are available for working moms, and new moms may join at any time. Membership dues and childcare vary; scholarships are available. Register for a group at TheMom.Co/find-a-meetup.
Building Better Moms
While MomCo brings moms of all stages together to learn from one another’s experiences, Building Better Moms (BBM) focuses on grouping moms by their children’s life stages for tailored support. BBM is an outreach through the United Methodist Church that fosters a community of moms from early childhood through college and beyond! Depending on the group’s stage of motherhood, relevant speakers are hosted, such as child nutritionists, play therapists, pelvic floor therapists and marriage counselors.
Small groups are determined by your child’s age (by the oldest child if there are multiple children) and meetup time. Groups are hosted in Leawood and West Olathe.
Memberships ($45) include 12 meetings. Childcare is $50/per child, which covers all meetings. Scholarships are available.
The Single Mom KC
Single moms carry a unique load, and The Single Mom KC has built a community to share it. The first Wednesday of each month, this ministry offers a family meal and special program addressing topics such as spiritual growth, emotional healing, parenting and practical skills. You’ll bond not only with other single mothers, but with sweetheart volunteers.
While attendees are nourished, an intentional children’s program pours into kids and complements what their moms are learning. For example, while an attorney educated single moms on wills, the children’s program included a packet for kids to work through to learn their home address and contacts in case of an emergency.
Parents as Teachers Playgroups
Parents as Teachers (PAT) is a free home-visiting program and so much more. When Sonja, my PAT educator, encouraged me to sign up for baby play, it introduced me to many mothers — particularly Kristen.
A monthly signup allows you and your baby to socialize with other duos. Enroll in PAT, and the educator assigned to your family can help you register for baby play. (If you fall in the Blue Valley district like moi, inquire about details for events such as Roll & Read and Touch-a-Truck.) Playgroup spots are limited!
Mommy and Me Play
Maybe you’ll meet your next bestie at Full Circle Yoga KC’s BYOB (Bring Your Own Baby) class; creating a beat; or practicing water safety at a swim school. The choice is yours, and good golly, do you have options!
Art
- Ceramic Cafe — Overland Park
Music
- The Purple Hippopotamus — Lee’s Summit
- InJoy Music — Lenexa, Brookside, Overland Park
- Music Together — Lee’s Summit
Swimming
- Aqua-Tots Swim School — Olathe, Prairie Village
- Emler Swim School — Westwood, Northland, Leawood
- Goldfish Swim School — Lenexa, Overland Park
- Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics — Lenexa
- SafeSplash Swim School — Kansas City, Mo.
Tumbling and Open Gyms
- Eagles Gymnastics — Kansas City, Mo.
- Elite Gymnastics & Aquatics — Lenexa
- The Little Gym — Parkville, Prairie Village, Leawood
- Mercury Gymnastics — Kansas City, Mo.
- My Gym — Overland Park
Open Gyms
Hoping for something less structured than a class? Opt for an open gym.
Open gym time — particularly morning slots — attracts moms with children ages 3 months to 6 years. Look for this unstructured, indoor playtime at park district facilities, community centers and gymnastics centers. While your little one practices gross motor skills, strike up a chat with another mom. A simple question such as “How old is she?” may lead to a friendship.
In my quest to find another Gwen, Hannah, Aleeta or Lexi, I met a new crew to walk through the toddler years. I’m so thankful for my MomCo Table 5 ladies, and for PAT Kristen, who became a great friend fast.
Wherever you start, Kansas City’s mom communities are ready to welcome you, too. So, pick one, show up and bring extra snacks for buddies. You’ve got this, Mama!