by Natalie L. Komitsky
One of the challenges facing us today is finding suitable opportunities for our children to form lasting friendships within like-minded families. Here are a few hints to help you find your crowd:
1. Event Calendars - Most communities distribute a monthly or bi-monthly publication that contains an event calendar. This listing provides dates, times, locations, and descriptions of local activities including the age of attendees and costs. This resource should provide you with a wide variety of choices.
2. Online communities - There are numerous blogs and e-groups for local group activities. You can find these lists by searching online using the name of your community or the names of your particular interests. Being part of an online group gives parents an opportunity to get to know members online before attending an event. This will also help them to assess whether or not the group will be a good match.
3. Local Library - Check out your public library's activity calendar. They often have regular activities for children including story-times, crafts, puppet shows, and nature presentations, just to name a few. And do not forget to become acquainted with the children's librarians. They are often full of knowledge about lots of local activities for children.
4. Children's Museums - The majority of children's centers, whether they be nature, art, or fun-focused, host periodic educational programs. This is a great place to meet people who have similar interests.
5. Be Proactive - Sometimes the setting you are dreaming of just does not exist; it is up to you to make it happen. Once you decide what you would like to do, you need to find a place to meet. Sometimes libraries and schools will let you use their facilities for free or a small rental fee. You can begin with a few other families and expand through word-of-mouth.
Your success depends, to some degree, on your ability to be open and limit your expectations. It takes time to get to know people and things don't always turn out as expected. I have had great experiences in groups that have turned out to be very different from the impression I got from their advertisements. It is a good idea to attend a group at least three times before you decide whether or not to join. Not every family can attend every event so, if you make a quick decision, you may lose out. Like most things in life, if you take your time and have good intentions, you will end up with a positive outcome.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
One of the challenges facing us today is finding suitable opportunities for our children to form lasting friendships within like-minded families. Here are a few hints to help you find your crowd:
1. Event Calendars - Most communities distribute a monthly or bi-monthly publication that contains an event calendar. This listing provides dates, times, locations, and descriptions of local activities including the age of attendees and costs. This resource should provide you with a wide variety of choices.
2. Online communities - There are numerous blogs and e-groups for local group activities. You can find these lists by searching online using the name of your community or the names of your particular interests. Being part of an online group gives parents an opportunity to get to know members online before attending an event. This will also help them to assess whether or not the group will be a good match.
3. Local Library - Check out your public library's activity calendar. They often have regular activities for children including story-times, crafts, puppet shows, and nature presentations, just to name a few. And do not forget to become acquainted with the children's librarians. They are often full of knowledge about lots of local activities for children.
4. Children's Museums - The majority of children's centers, whether they be nature, art, or fun-focused, host periodic educational programs. This is a great place to meet people who have similar interests.
5. Be Proactive - Sometimes the setting you are dreaming of just does not exist; it is up to you to make it happen. Once you decide what you would like to do, you need to find a place to meet. Sometimes libraries and schools will let you use their facilities for free or a small rental fee. You can begin with a few other families and expand through word-of-mouth.
Your success depends, to some degree, on your ability to be open and limit your expectations. It takes time to get to know people and things don't always turn out as expected. I have had great experiences in groups that have turned out to be very different from the impression I got from their advertisements. It is a good idea to attend a group at least three times before you decide whether or not to join. Not every family can attend every event so, if you make a quick decision, you may lose out. Like most things in life, if you take your time and have good intentions, you will end up with a positive outcome.
As a wordsmith, Natalie L. Komitsky optimizes the effectiveness of text to impact readers with substance and style through exceptional research, writing, editing, and project management. For more information, or to get in touch, visit: www.nkomitsky.com
