Looking out my window, I can see dozens of townhouses. They are filled with noisy kids and friendly parents on the weekends. But on a Tuesday afternoon, almost all of them are empty.
Where are all the stay-at-home parents and their kids? At moms' groups, of course.
Mothers' groups give parents an opportunity to chat about something other than Elmo. They give young children an excuse to get out of the house and play. Many mothers' groups even have their own venues, toys and snacks.
Mothers' groups are easy to find, if you know where to look. Start by searching for breastfeeding support groups, church playgroups, or cultural centers. There is also an international mothers' group organiztaion called the MOMS Club, with chapters speckled throughout suburban Washington.