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WELCOME to the beginning of Moms in Madison. This
has been in the back of my mind for almost 2 years now, and has
finally come to fruition. I have a 29 month old son and an 8
month old son, so it was about time.
I stepped into parenting without much support.
My husband and I moved to Madison in 2000 from Chicago and had
no family or friends or support in the area. None of our friends
in Chicago had children of their own either, and most of the
people we met once we arrived were also childless. We did what
most first timers do. We read every single baby book on the planet.
Dr. Sears, What to Expect, Natural Childbirth. We took a Bradley
Class - after struggling to find birthing classes in a town we
were unfamiliar with. We only knew of the two or three main stores
to shop for baby products and furniture. We didn't know any doctors
and were not sure of what hospital or birthing approach we wanted
to use. I found the UW Midwives and was lucky that they accepted
and supported my birthplans.When the first baby arrived I didn't
have any idea
about parent groups
or new
mom
classes
-somehow
the
mom & baby
class information was left out of my packet from Meriter.
We were just
out there doing everything on our own.
Fast forward to finding Gymboree classes, meeting
other parents, stepping into the tepid water of playdates and
playgroups and meeting other moms. Dating was never so complicated!!
From there were birthday parties, outings, stroller purchases
and more. At that
point I became pregnant again, and felt a bit more confident
in the pregnancy and newborn part, but was moving into new territory
with my toddler.
As I met more and more moms, I realized that I
was not the only one who had no idea where to go out to eat with
these little guys. I wasn't the only one that didn't know about
the vast options available for infant, baby, toddler and preschooler
classes.
Music, art, crafts, gymnastics and movement, sports, ice skating.
I was not the only one who didn't know all the 'good parks' with
clean mulch, good age appropriate equipment, and swings that
were not broken. I may not be from Madison, but I realize so
clearly now that this is MY KIDS HOMETOWN. It is time to learn
about what being a kid in Madison is about. Yes, I do spend many
days a month at the b&n train tables, but I also
manage
to wander
Madison
and
the
area
around
here
to find
fun and unique things to do with my kids. Things they will remember,
hopefully fondly, and will help shape them into interesting human
beings, with a love of their hometown and home state.
Madison is growing so rapidly. I have hardly met
anyone BORN here. Most went to college here, so do have a sense
of home in this city. Many are from smaller Wisconsin towns,
or rural communities. Many are from other urban areas such as
Minneapolis or Chicago and were hoping to downsize and raise
children away from that chaos. Many are from other countries,
and are away from their families and support groups too. So
I hope that this site will build and become a good solid resource
of all the things we as moms are looking for on
a day
to day
basis.Whether you are new to Madison, new to parenting, or just
want to find something new, enjoy!
Denise
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