OK. I know half of you were wondering why I couldn’t just get up off the couch and take J to the library or the park or just somewhere. Truthfully, some of it is my own personal issues and then there’s the rest of it–well, just like I can’t know what it would have been like to grow up in an urban area, some of you can’t imagine what it’s like to be a mom an hour away from the closest Kindermusik group.
Absolutely no sarcasm intended, by the way.
I’ve tried looking at the local library, and they do have a group, but not until he’s 3 and not until September. The groups only run in fall and spring…I’m not sure why, but that’s what it is. We can, however, go to the toy-lending library, but every time I’ve been there, we’ve been the only people and I’d really like him to have some interaction with others.
There is a great waterpark, and we do plan on going, but not soon. I need some time away from the high school kids, and that’s who works there…ALL day, EVERY day.
I would love to be able to actually use a mommy and me group or something from meetup.com, but again, we’re talking about a 60-mile drive. I’m very gas-aware. Read: cheap and easily guilted into green-ness. There is a mom’s group in a local church basement once a month, but it’s at night and only for moms, no kids. That’s the only formal group…and although it sounds nice, I don’t know if it’s my cup of tea.
Local parks and rec? Nothing, until he’s four at the youngest. Getting neighborhood people together? Um. I live in the country. People VALUE their private time, and they’re not used to seeing people outside their high school friend group and family more than once every few weeks or so…and I didn’t grow up here, so I’m not in a family group or have high school friends (shudder) to hang out with. YMCA? Hah. VBS? Too young. Zoos or museums? Again, an hour away.
Yes, we’re doing the zoo and the children’s museum, but only once or twice this summer. You know what I think my biggest problem is? I really miss the spontenaity of college, when I could hang out with my friends all day long, and if I really wanted to, meet like-minded people in a billion and two different ways. I’d like something like that now, but with people who either like kids or like them and have a few of their own and live next door–or close enough to hang out in the yard with the kids and the cheapie plastic pool.
8 responses so far ↓
1 Johnny // Jun 10, 2008 at 9:44 am
Hey, even in the “city” we have those issues as well. There are just a few families we “click” with and even then we don’t really hang with them that often. We’re hoping and thinking with Kindergarten it might improve. But, no promises.
2 Joanna // Jun 10, 2008 at 10:27 am
Sounds like you have the winter blues….in the summer. Its tough to have an only child. I get that way with Ella too. Plus you start to feel very isolated. But like you said, sometimes you just need to pick up and go. I will bring her to the park and there will be other kids there for her to play with. Even if Im not getting the stimulation I need, atleast she is. Gas sucks….4.09/gal here yesterday! Be creative. Try not to dwell on what you cant do and think of what you can do. Instead of the library, go to a book store. Usually they have kids areas to play in (Barnes and Noble, Borders). Go out for walks and be creative with nature. Good luck!
3 Andy // Jun 10, 2008 at 3:24 pm
I’m sorry you are having such a tough time findind something near by.
4 KatKat // Jun 10, 2008 at 8:03 pm
I am so with you!! We’re only using one car to try to save money and be eco-friendly, but when I am stuck here all day with no car, it’s enough to make me insane:) I wish I had groups, etc, too!
I have no great ideas because I’m in a similar boat, but I wanted to tell you you’re not alone:)
5 DC // Jun 10, 2008 at 11:53 pm
Living really far away from everything would make so many things difficult! It would be great if there was a blog-equivelant for little guys, huh? Then J could get some social interaction without using a ton of gas. Hmmmm. I’ll need to work on a solution to this. ;)
6 Carrie // Jun 11, 2008 at 7:00 am
I hear you with the small town struggles. Most of my mommy friends live in a town about 20 miles away so we won’t be making many trips there this summer. I looked into the library and VBS and ran into the same problems you did, they are just too young. Playing in a cheapie plastic pool is fun for a little while, but the days get long. Good luck!
7 Kelly D // Jun 12, 2008 at 12:53 pm
I live in AZ so there isn’t much to do unless you can go inside or find water. My girls are just under 4 so they’re not really into museums and those types of places. It’s hard to find things to do. I’d love to join a mom’s group, but most of them meet at hours I cannot attend. We go to the mall a lot - they love to people watch and eat snacks, although that can get boring and expensive too.
8 starfish // Jun 16, 2008 at 8:43 am
If it’s any consolation, we live close to everything and we dont’ do much either. I think my problem is other people. I usually annoyed pretty quickly at other parents and their kids - guess I’m not a people person!
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