ML Interest Tag: balancing-work

Federal Child Care Bill Proposes to Make Raising Kids Easier—& Cheaper, Too

by Shahrzad Warkentin

Child care costs can be a major financial burden for many American families, but the Child Care for Working Families Act could take some of the strain off your wallet when it comes to balancing work and family life.

According to a recent survey by Care.com, one out of three U.S. families pays 20 percent or more of their household income on child care. The Child Care for Working Families bill—recently reintroduced into Congress—would put a 7 percent cap on how much working families in the United States spend on childcare.

photo: Seila800 via Pixabay

“[The Child Care for Working Families Act] will ensure that no parent has to pay more than they can afford on child care, at most middle class parents would pay 7 percent of their income on childcare, but parents who make less, pay less. In fact, some parents will pay nothing at all,” Senator Patty Murray, one of the bill’s authors, explained at a press conference. “Our bill helps expand options for childcare in the summer and during nontraditional hours when quality care is even harder to find.”

The bill also calls for universal preschool for three- and four-year-olds across the country, as well as pay increases for childcare workers. The new act still has to be passed into law, but it opens an important conversation about American families and one of the possible reasons why so many Millennials are putting off having kids.

—Shahrzad Warkentin

 

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10 Parenting Podcasts Every Mom Needs in Her Life Right Now

By Keiko Zoll

Moms can get a lot done in 10 minutes, from prepping for a Zoom call while simultaneously changing a diaper to walking the dog, pushing the stroller, potty training a toddler, and calling it time to yourself. However you conquer your day, these podcasts for moms will make it a little easier to whistle while you work. Keep reading for the best podcasts for women to subscribe to, now.

Motherhood Sessions

On this podcast, you can listen to conversations between reproductive psychiatrist Dr. Alexandra Sacks and her patients who are mothers as they dive into issues from reconciling the way they were raised and the way they are raising, to how to co-parent with an alcoholic ex. It's a podcast about sharing secrets, setting down your burdens, and lightening your load, and her topics vary so widely that sooner or later, you're bound to stumble upon some of your own baggage. Listen here on iTunes.

Mom Enough

Mother-daughter co-hosts Marti & Erin Erickson tackle the issues of motherhood—from confronting the daily grind, to balancing work and family, to untangling the big questions of how society values mothering—through expert eyes. Erin is a nurse practitioner with a Master’s in Public Health, and her mother Marti holds a PhD and is a world-renowned expert in child development and children’s mental health. Their guests help them take a research-based approach to dissecting the hardest aspects of motherhood. Listen here on iTunes. 

 

Anna Faris Is Unqualified

"Not-so-great-relationship advice from completely unqualified Hollywood types." Celeb mom Anna Faris gets real about the reality of parenting, relationships and more. Recent episodes include talking to real moms discussing co-parenting strategies with their exes to hosting fellow celebs to talk about parenting, marriage and more. Subscribe here via iTunes.

Big Little Choices

"Big Little Choices is a podcast that gives women an avenue to share stories of identity and motherhood." Sri Bodanapu is your mom host of this judgment-free parenting podcast. Each episode features one mother’s story, her struggle with a particular familial situation, and how she came to a decision that worked for her family—regardless of whether it was the norm or not. Listen on iTunes here.

The Longest Shortest Time

Calling itself "the parenting show for everyone," journalist Hillary Frank shares "stories about the surprises and absurdities of raising other humans—and being raised by them." Winner of the 2018 Webby Award for Best Kids & Family Podcast, each episode runs about 30 to 45 minutes in length and is super-approachable. And, while the last episode was recorded in December 2019, you can still revel in the backlog of episodes, which are all timeless enough not to matter when they were recorded. Listen here on iTunes.

 

Moms Don't Have Time to Read Books

Zibby Owens, mother of four, interviews and chats with authors about their work so busy people (taking care of younger people) can listen in and get the inside scoop. Owens asks questions about how being a mother might enhance or inhibit a writer's process, in addition to giving a solid peek into the books you'd most want to read—if you could only find the time. Listen here on iTunes. 

Your Parenting Mojo

In a nutshell, host Jen Lumanlan presents "research-based ideas  to help kids thrive" in each episode. A mom herself, Jen owns up to her own lack of parenting instincts, but, as she says herself, she makes "up for it with outstanding research skills." Show topics like forest schools vs. regular schools, the 30-million word gap and growth mindsets for kids, there's a lot to take in for nerdy, research-loving parents. Get it on iTunes here.

What Fresh Hell: Laughing In the Face of Motherhood

Comedic duo Amy Wilson and Margaret Ables dish up personal stories that are fortified with structure and research in each episode, which means each episode blossoms from anecdote to thoughtful discussion without leaving you feeling like you just got trapped by another look-how-cute-smart-funny-my-kid-is neighbor. One recent episode explores the regressions our kids may be showing during the strangeness of the Covid-`19 era, which leads to a broader discussion of how we all manage during times of stress, and then tops it off with a guest child development specialist to weigh in on the matter. Listen on iTunes here. 

Spawned

Hosted by Liz Gumbinner and Kristen Chase of Cool Mom Picks, this podcast offers a fast-paced, smart dive into the parenting topics and trends du jour.  Look for episodes like "How to be a bare minimum parent" and "A professional organizer’s top back-to-school organizational tips for the real world." Liz and Kristen offer a ton of practical, actionable tips for moms of all stripes. Listen on iTunes here.

Weekly Dose of BS

The Real Housewives of Dallas moms Brandi Redmond and Stephanie Hollman—the B and S of the podcast's title—co-host this fast and loose new podcast that gives fans just that little bit of extra to their popular Bravo TV show. Weekly Dose of BS covers a little bit of everything, centered on parenting, #momlife and more. Listen on iTunes here.

 

—Shelley Massey with Keiko Zoll

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Featured image courtesy of Andrea Piacquadio via Pexels

Keiko is a mom and Red Tricycle editor. Fueled almost exclusively by Coke Zero and Nespresso, she is a textbook Gemini and her spirit animal is the octopus. Bylines include HuffPost, Romper, Disney Baby, Babble, Metro News International and others. Her favorite dinosaur is the parasaurolophus.

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Drew Barrymore’s Family Calendar System Is Pure Mom Genius

by Erica Loop

As if you didn’t already loooove her laidback style (and just about everything else about the superstar actress), Drew Barrymore’s family calendar system is about to become your new BFF. This celeb mama has it down when it comes to balancing work and family life.

Um, wait. None of us really do. And just because she’s fab and famous doesn’t mean she’s got the whole working mom thing under wraps. But she does have some pretty brilliant advice for mommy-ing with a busy, busy work schedule. She’s a mom, actress, entrepreneur and so much more. Yep, Drew Barrymore has a busy schedule — and that means having to take time away from her family life to work and travel.

Barrymore posted to Instagram her tips for working moms. Even though the actress-mama may have more money and fame than any of us regular ol’ folk could imagine, that doesn’t mean she isn’t totally down to earth when it comes to finding ways to balance parenting and her job.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BgXq7_1gPCX/?taken-by=drewbarrymore

Barrymore starts her post by writing, “Olive has a working mom. So, I came up with a couple of systems. One is “THE CALENDAR”. It has been very successful recently.”

So what is “THE CALENDAR”? Well, Barrymore uses an old-school paper calendar—not an app, not an online version and not some sort of mobile-connected, super-confusing techy version—to circle all of her travel days. She then has her daughter, Olive, mark the days with an “X” as they end. This gives her a visual reference for how long mom is gone and when she’ll be back.

Along with “THE CALENDAR,” Barrymore makes sure that she doesn’t give her daughter a negative picture of working. She writes on IG, “I always explain to her that I love my Job. I don’t say, “I have to go to work” with a grimace on my face, because I fear it will make her feel negative about something a lot of moms must do to provide.”

We totally agree, Drew! And thanks for the awesome tips.

What’s your best piece of working mom advice? Share your tips with us in the comments below.

—Erica Loop

Featured image: Drew Barrymore via Instagram

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Why You Should Take Your Kids Camping This Holiday Season

By Priyadarshini Rajendran

The holiday season is surely about being merry by spending time with family and friends. But it can also mean extra work for moms, don’t you agree? We have to plan dinners, give the house a holiday make-over, get all the shopping done in time to wrap the presents.

All this has gotten me thinking, why not skip it altogether, avoid the stress and do something else? I am sure we can definitely use a breather, what with managing day-to-day activities everyday for our kids and balancing work and family time delicately.

I feel that a stint of outdoors time is in order because nature is a sure-shot way to unwind from stress and relax. So, it is camping time for us as a family this Christmas. I loved camping when I was as young as three years old. And I am sure our children will treasure this time in the outdoors. We should really give them a chance to make precious memories like these.

Our kids learn to respect nature when we take them outdoors. They realize that we need to treat our environment in the right way and this forms a great mindset in them.

Kids learn to be more resourceful as they observe us make do with less resources when we camp. They also learn how blessed a calm environment can be at times when they listen to the birds chirping in the morning or the water running musically in the streams near by. Camping refreshing their little minds.

Fortunately, the United States is blessed with amazing geography and flaunts many stunning national parks that we can enjoy with our kids. But as exciting as it is, there are a few things we as parents should keep in mind when planning a camping trip with our children.

Things to Consider

The first thing to consider is the weather. If you have very young children, it is advisable to plan camping locations that are a bit warmer when you travel. Pack your clothes appropriately.

The next thing would be safety at the camping site. As I camp with my young kids, I prefer glamping over camping because with this option we would have access to clean bathrooms and heating. Very young kids would need a warm room to rest comfortably. And I feel that we should take utmost care of their health when we are out and about too. This way, all of us can really enjoy the quality time away from the constant hubbub and screens.

Also, our packing list should include a first-aid kit, a flashlight, and a map of the area. An insect repellent is worth picking up too.

Now that you are all set, go on and have a great camping time :)

Happy holidays!

Featured Photo Courtesy: Pixabay
Priyadarshini Rajendran
Tinybeans Voices Contributor

Priyadarshini Rajendran is a travel, food and books blogger at Glorious Sunrise. She is a passionate globetrotter who now travels with her husband and two young children all around the world. Priya has published two books and is currently writing more.

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Meet the LA Power Moms Who Slay All Day

by Jennifer O'Brien

Moms are mysterious creatures who even with all their commitments to careers, their communities and outside passions, manage to shape little beings into pretty cool folks. While we think all moms are amazing, we’ve chosen a very special group of our fave LA power moms who are not only holding down the fort at home, but are also creating, inventing, inspiring, innovating and pursuing their dreams in a wide variety of fields. From moms who make us laugh to incredible mompreneuers, these amazing ladies are kicking butt and taking names. Click through the slideshow to meet them.

Kay Cannon, Creator/Executive Producer & Showrunner for Netflix Comedy, Girlboss

A great sense of humor is critical to surviving parenthood, and this uber talented mom has it in spades. As creator/writer of mega movie franchise, Pitch Perfect, as well as her work on beloved comedies like 30 Rock and The New Girl, Cannon makes it her mission to keep us laughing (and for that we thank her!). Her biggest fan though is undoubtedly her adorable 3-year-old daughter, Leni. When Cannon’s not busy juggling her hectic schedule running the highly anticipated new Netflix series, Girlboss, she and husband, Eben, love exploring their hometown hood with Leni: going swimming at the Mullholland Tennis Club, visiting the Studio City Farmer’s Market or even doing something as simple as playing with cars in the CVS on Laurel Canyon. In attempting to balance work and family, Cannon says, “Prioritize specific kid stuff you simply cannot miss. (i.e Leni's first day of preschool). Asking for help is one of the best things you can do for yourself. Luckily, I'm surrounded by a wonderful group of people who help raise Leni with me so that I can work and also get a haircut.”

photo: Kay Cannon

Who are your favorite LA Power Moms? Give them a shout out in the space below! They sure deserve it!

–Jennifer O’Brien

 

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Amazon’s New Pilot Program is a Big Win for Working Moms

by Red Tricycle

Photo: Ken Wolter

As many working moms can attest to, balancing work life and family life can be rough. Last week, Amazon announced it is experimenting with a 30-hour work week to improve the lives of its employees. Because it’s part-time, it will only pay 75% of what the full-timers get, but the positions will be salaried and offer the same benefits as the 40-hour employees. To support career growth, the program involves managerial positions, too.

The Washington Post reports Amazon’s pilot program that will have a small team working a shorter week. Instead of the typical 9 to 5, a few dozen people will work Monday through Thursday and only from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with what the Post called “additional flex hours.”

It also notes “A 30-hour workweek could help encourage more female workers, who tend to take on more household and child-care responsibilities than men in the domestic sphere.”

Do you know of other companies that offer supportive benefits for working mothers? Let us know in the comments below!

(H/T: The Washington Post)

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Interview With Roller Girl Author, Victoria Jamieson

by Suzie Ridgway

Roller Girl, the children’s graphic novel, written by Portland author and mother, Victoria Jamieson, tells the story of Astrid, a young girl who falls in love with playing roller derby and the positive ways in which it impacts her life. The story centers on Portland’s league, the Rose City Rollers, and features familiar bridges and scenes, as well as a few local derby athletes, within the pages. Roller Girl has been on the NY Times Bestseller List for 17 weeks and recently won the Newbery Medal of Honor. Her second book, The Great Pet Escape, was just released this week. Here’s what we found out when we caught up with Jamieson.

Victoria Jamieson
photo: Courtesy of Victoria Jamieson

RT: What’s your background? 

I grew up on the East Coast—first in Philly, and then in Florida. My mom worked both as a children’s librarian and an elementary school art teacher, so my brothers and I were constantly surrounded by books and art supplies—there was no escaping it! I always loved coloring books and drawing, and I just kept doing it.

My family moved to Florida when I was 12, and visits to Disney World convinced me I wanted to be a Disney animator. I went to the Rhode Island School of Design intending to major in Animation. My first few classes cured me of that, though! Animation required long, solitary hours, and I didn’t have the patience for it. I majored in Illustration instead.

After graduation I worked odd jobs in odd places (a cruise ship, a shopping mall in Montreal, a restaurant on Shark Beach in Australia). Eventually I landed in New York, where I got a job as a design assistant with HarperCollins Publishers. In 2009, my husband and I moved to Portland, and I’ve been writing books ever since.

Roller Girl Cover

photo: Suzie Ridgway

RT: What was your motivation for writing Roller Girl? 

I discovered roller derby in 2008 and immediately fell in love. After moving to Portland, my first priority after finding an apartment was to join the Rose City Rollers. I love everything about roller derby—the players, the comradery, the sport itself. I learned so much about myself playing roller derby and coaching others. I knew I wanted to write a book about roller derby eventually. At the same time, graphic novels for children were becoming more and more popular. The two seemed a perfect match.

RT: What did it feel like to win the Newbery Medal?  How did you hear of the news, how did you celebrate? 

Winning that award was… amazing. Surreal. I knew that the awards were announced that day (January 11th, the day after my birthday). Roller Girl had received many kind reviews, and I’d heard the words “Roller Girl” and “Newbery” together enough to get a little nervous about the announcements. There’s no shortlist like for the Oscars, however, so I really had no idea if it was even being considered by the committee, and I tried very hard not to get my hopes up.

The “call” goes out very early in the morning to the recipients. The convention was in Boston this year, so they called me at 6:30 a.m. EST, which was of course 3:30 a.m. here. I had just fallen asleep after feeding the baby. I then woke the baby with my screeches and my laughter. But it was worth it.

Roller Girl 3

RT: How do you balance work/life with a little one? 

This is a tough one—I’m still trying to figure it out. He is 16 months old. He is in daycare part-time, and I treat those precious hours like gold. No phone calls, no goofing around on the internet- straight to work. Same thing when he goes down for a nap. I don’t care if I’m in the middle of cooking dinner- if I have an hour or two I use it. I also try to work after he goes to bed at 7:30 or 8, but lack of sleep sometimes gets the better of me in the form of sickness or unbearable grumpiness. I basically have no social life.  

RT: Any advice for moms who think they have a good idea for a children’s story?

My advice for anyone with an idea for a children’s book is to DO IT! The world needs more stories. My second piece of advice is to educate yourself about the business. A wonderful resource for this is SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators). It’s an international organization and the Portland chapter is just wonderful. They offer workshops and critiques throughout the year, and a big conference once a year in the spring (registration just opened for this).

Also, not to sound too self-serving, but I teach a Continuing Education course in Writing & Illustrating Children’s Books at Pacific Northwest College of Art. The next one starts April 2nd. Everyone is welcome, no matter your experience or skill level. And lastly, I would recommend attending events at our wonderful Portland children’s book stores: Green Bean Books, A Children’s Place, Annie Bloom’s and of course Powell’s. Portland has a very vibrant and welcoming group of children’s book writers and illustrators—join us!

Roller Girl 1

RT: What’s next? 

I’m working on my next graphic novels now. My newest graphic novel, The Great Pet Escape, was just released on February 16th. It’s about classroom pets running amok in a school at night. I’m currently writing my next graphic novel for middle grade readers. It’s not a sequel to Roller Girl, but I hope the same audiences will enjoy it.

Find out more about Victoria Jamieson online at victoriajamieson.com.

Every child who picks up this book cannot put it down until they have read it from cover to cover. Have your kids read Roller Girl? Let us know in the comments below! 

—Suzie Ridgway
 

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The Digital Fairy Godmother for Moms: Equivity Virtual Assistants

by Kate Loweth

Have you ever wished that you had an assistant who could plan your kid’s birthday party? Or research preschools? What about finding the perfect date night babysitter? Well, every busy parent’s dream has just become an (accessible!) reality with Equivity Virtual Assistants. The Bay Area-based start up launched by providing virtual assistance for businesses, but has expanded to offer a special service aimed right at multitasking parents. Equivity for Moms connects you with a virtual assistant to help you plan, organize and check all those mundane daily tasks off your list. Read on to find out more.

Photo: via john.schultz on Flickr creative commons

From The Mind of a Mom

With two young kids, co-founder Heidi Hodges knows what it is like to be busy, busy, busy. She and her husband Eric Wall founded Equivity Virtual Assistants in January of this year to try and help others combat the challenges that come with balancing work and personal life.

Equivity for Moms is a specialty area of Equivity Virtual Assistants that focuses on the unique challenges faced by Bay Area stay-at-home moms as well as those employed outside the home. As a mom, it is easy to get overwhelmed with all that goes into taking care of your kids and your household. Equivity for Moms is there to take some of the tasks off your hands and lighten your load.

Photo: Neoprene Necessities

Need a Little Help? 

Make a list of the tasks that you would like to hand over to your virtual assistant. Then click over to choose which monthly plan best suits your needs. Packages range from $149/month for 5 hours of assistance up to $1274/month for 50 hours. If you need more hours than your selected package, you can always add on additional hours as the month goes on.

Equivity matches you with a dedicated virtual assistant (VA) and that person will complete the requests you need. Because you are only working with one VA, this arrangement allows the VA to get to know you —your likes, dislikes, preferences, family situation and needs.  All Equivity virtual assistants are U.S.-based and college-educated.

Photo: Erin Feher

Can I Ask for…Anything?
Equivity will handle both personal and business needs. Have a blog and you need someone to proofread it for you? Equivity can take care of that. Need someone to set up your bookkeeping for your Etsy business? That request can be handled by your VA.

Preschool and childcare research is another common request. This is a big decision faced by parents and it is nice to have another person do all the legwork and research. An Equivity VA can make baby registry suggestions based on your specific needs and aesthetics, while also cross-checking items for safety ratings and cost.

No task is too small for Equivity. Often moms will come to them with a list of small tasks to take care of such as arranging for delivery of baby furniture or scheduling dental appointments.

Local Moms Only

While Equivity markets its business and personal services nationwide, the target audience for their Equivity for Moms service is the Bay Area. Many mom requests are regional in nature (such as preschool research) and by limiting themselves to the Bay Area, Equivity is able to provide more detailed information to clients.

Ready to give it a try? Equivity offers a free trial period so that you can test out their service risk-free. Your trial consists of half of the hours of the monthly plan you selected (so you would get a 15 hour trial for a 30 hour plan).

Equivity Virtual Assistants for Moms
Online: equivityva.com/virtual-assistants-for-moms
Phone: 800-679-5315

What tasks would you like to hand off to a virtual assistant?  Let us know in the comments below!

—Kate Loweth

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Where to Get Fit & Connect With Other Moms

by Abby Biernat

Between rearranging your life schedule for baby and taking care your new bundle of joy, fitness often gets kicked down low on your priority list…unless you’ve signed up for Fit4Mom. Started in 2012, this Marin fitness franchise works with moms (and families) who want to keep pre- and post-natal fitness on their fun radar. You can take your baby for a stroller jog, connect with other moms through Our Village and exchange sage advice, or just focus on building your strength and flexibility until it rivals your baby’s leg lifts. With Fit4Mom, working out just became hip, easy and fun again.

We sat down with Karin Collins, mompreneur of the Fit4Mom Marin franchise, to get an insider’s look on how she manages to stay fit all while being a full-time mom.

RT: What neighborhood/borough do you live in?

KC: Terra Linda

RT: What is your favorite “escape hatch” to get some “me” time and recharge?

KC: Years ago, I studied yoga and I try to sneak in a 30-minute session in the mornings before my 2 year old daughter wakes up. I also love to go on long runs or hikes by myself. It helps me clear my mind and I often come up with great ideas.

RT: What does the perfect Bay Area Sunday morning look like?

KC: Almost every Sunday is a perfect Sunday for me because I get to do what I love to do. Morning typically starts with morning snuggle with my family and then I teach a Stroller Strides class, which is a fitness class that moms can do with their Stroller aged children. Sundays is a special class for the whole family and so not only do I get to see my lovely mom’s but I also get to see many of the dad’s. Classes are twice the size and twice the fun! After class we walk over to the Civic Center farmer’s market to eat a yummy lunch and buy fresh fruits and veggies for the week.

RT: What is your latest obsession?

KC: On a recent trip to Sweden visiting my family and friends, I was connected with Sami Pharmacy. They offer a variety of organic super foods such as crowberries and wild blue berries. I am obsessed with their yummy products so much that now I’m going to be distributing their wonderful products here in the US.

RT: What’s your secret to balancing work and family life?

KC: The secret is that I have an amazing job, which allows me to integrate business, family, friends and fun all in one. I can bring my daughter when I teach my classes. She is my little workout buddy. My husband is also very supportive and appreciative of all the hard work I do in the home and for my company. Most importantly, I love what I do and so it really doesn’t feel like work.

RT: What is your proudest parenting moment so far?

KC: It is impossible to only mention one moment. There are so many little moments every day that make me so proud of my daughter. She shows a great deal of empathy towards other people, eats leafy green salads, helps me make lunches for her dad… the list goes on!

Have you checked out Fit4Mom? Follow them on Facebook for updates and Instagram for motivational pics!

Stroller Strides® is a stroller-based fitness program designed for moms with little ones. Each 60-minute, total body workout incorporates power walking, strength, toning, songs and activities. Certified fitness instructors offer a variety of fun class formats both indoors and outdoors. All locations also offer a free Plum Moms Club so moms can form lasting friendships with other moms through organized playdates, moms’ nights out, and activities for the whole family.

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28 Mom Groups Every Seattle Mom (and Dad) Should Know

by Angela Alanis

We all know how important it is for our kids to socialize with other little ones. But it’s just as important for us moms (and dads) to have play dates too. Mothers’ Clubs, local parenting organizations and moms groups are a great way to connect with other families in your area and establish a supportive community of like-minded folks. Check out our list below to find a group in your ‘hood. With everything from mothers of multiples to fitness groups to attachment parenting, there’s a group sure to fit your family.

Seattle

Ballard Parents
Ballard is known for its “small town” feeling and Ballard Parents is a great resource for parents who want to bring that small town one step closer. Working, stay-at-home, single? Parents in every circumstance will find resources in this group. Topics include nanny sharing, babysitting, school recommendations, parenting classes and child development.

Capital Hill Parenting
This awesome group supports families living in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle. Members are welcome to use the group to exchange news and information about kid-focused events and services, connect for play dates, swap baby gear, reach out for help and support on various parenting issues, and much more.

Madrona Moms
Madrona Moms is an informal, fun-loving group of Seattle mamas. The group was created back in 2000 by a couple of moms who met at Madrona playfield with their little ones in tow. Their aim was to “make Madrona feel like a small town” and that’s exactly what they’re still doing today.

Green Lake Moms
Green Lake Moms is a fave for many Seattle-area parents and was the winner of our 2013 Totally Awesome Awards for most awesome group for moms and dads. The group was founded as a community resource in Seattle to provide a place for local moms to share information and support one another. The group has became so popular and fulfilled local moms’ needs so well that today it has more than 2400 members. From Green Lake Mom Daily Deals to organized meet-ups and events, Green Lake Moms is a fantastic opportunity for Seattle moms to connect, bond, and grow.

North East Seattle Moms
North East Seattle Moms is open to families who live in the Laurelhurst, Bryant, View Ridge, Wedgwood, Windermere, Hawthorne Hills, Ravenna, Meadowbrook, Sand Point and Matthews Beach neighborhoods and want to connect with other parents in the neighborhood. Parents in this group are encouraged to ask and share resources with one another as well as wisdom and information on a variety of topics, neighborhood specific information and issues.

Parents Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays – Seattle
Keeping families together is the mission of this Seattle parenting group. PFLAG promotes the health and well-being of gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender persons, their families and friends through support, education and advocacy.

Queen Anne Moms and Dads
Moms and dads living on Queen Anne are invited to join this group to get to know one another as neighbors and support each other as parents. Group members coordinate playgroups, announce neighborhood activities, provide resources regarding childcare, schools, and classes, share information about suspicious or criminal activity in the neighborhood, provide tips for things to do or services to try, and discuss things of interest and of use to families living on Queen Anne.

Seattle Attachment Parenting (API)
API Seattle is a support group affiliated with Attachment Parenting International that provides encouragement, advice, education, and friendship for attachment-focused families. API encourages moms and dads to develop secure, peaceful, and enduring relationships with others through trust, empathy, and affection. The group provides the support parents need through monthly meetings, playgroups, potlucks, book club meetings, seminars, a lending library, and an online discussion group.

Seattle Babywearing Network (SABN)
With the goal of encouraging more parents and caregivers to carry their babies, the purpose of this group is to promote, educate and share information about babywearing and its benefits. The group meets on the first Wednesday of the month in Seattle and on the Eastside to share babywearing experiences, troubleshoot problems and assist with carrier usage.

Seattle Fremont Moms
Fremont moms (a.k.a Fremomsters) live in The Center of the Universe and share information related to child-rearing including everything from sharing a nanny to babysitting to school recommendations. The group acts as a support group for anyone seeking help with raising their children, maintaining their home, and balancing work and home and encourages its members to set up weekly and monthly playdates.

Program for Early Parent Support (PEPS) 
PEPS is known for helping parents connect and grow as they begin their journey into parenthood. PEPS parent support programs educate, inform and create community among parents and have become a vital resource for new mothers and fathers. PEPS serves thousands of families annually all over the Seattle area including the Eastside.

Seattleista Moms
This Seattle group is for expecting moms, new moms, and even moms with school-aged kiddos. It’s a great place to meet moms living in the city and stay fit and healthy while having fun. The group holds special events such as kids clothing swap parties and prenatal and mom and me yoga classes and is known for planning walks around the lake, play dates at the gym and participating in language classes, cooking classes, first aid classes, ladies lunches, spa days, and even moms night out.

Seattle Single Parents
With over 1300 members, this group is designed for single parents living in Seattle and the surrounding areas. The group has an awesome mix of both young and experienced parents and is designed for moms and dads who want to get active as well as find other single parents to connect and network with; to share ideas and support with; and to plan group events with. If you’re thinking the possibilities are endless in this group… you’re right!

WSMOT – Super Moms of West Seattle
WSMOT is a fun group of moms who like to get out and enjoy each other’s company. If you live in West Seattle or the White Center neighborhood and have a kiddo who is entering kindergarten through 3rd grade, you’ll definitely want to check this group out! Psst! Younger siblings are always welcome.

 

Eastside

Eastside Aspergers Kids Social Group
If you have a kiddo age 12 and under with Aspergers Syndrome, High Functioning Autism, PDD-NOS or similar diagnoses, this group is designed for you. The motto for this Eastside group is “Let’s get together and help the children make friends” and that’s exactly what the parents and caregivers in this group are doing. Low-key meetups at parks, playgrounds and other fun places are planned monthly.

Eastside Cool Mommies
This group of active and young (or young at heart) cool mamas is designed for moms who are ready to get out of the house and meet like-minded ladies. The group is designed for both stay-at-home and working moms who have kids of all ages—there is no limit in this group! Eastside Cool Mommies encourages its members to get their kiddos out of the house and make new friends as well as get some advice, give some advice and have fun!

Eastside Mothers Club
The Eastside Mothers Club knows that being a mom can be joyous, stressful, wonderful, frustrating, awesome, and trying all at the same time. They also know it can be a lonely and under-appreciated profession. EMC was formed by moms for moms living on the Eastside. The purpose of this club is to provide friendship, community, fun, education, and mutual support for mothers of tots ages birth through five years. Members in this group will meet other stay-at-home moms, enjoy fun events with kiddos in tow and learn about great family activities on the Eastside.

Eastside Mothers of Multiples
Are you a mom of multiples? Eastside Mothers of Multiples (EMOMs) is dedicated to fostering mutual support between families facing the unique joys and challenges of raising multiples. In this group, volunteers facilitate the exchange of information, ideas, and clothing and equipment through their private website, semi-annual sale, and a wide range of other activities. Members in this group will get much-needed support and opportunities to form lasting friendships with other moms and families of multiples.

Eastside Parents: Wing it, Meet it, Bring it!
This group of laid back parents just want to hang out and have fun. Collectively they are made up of working parents and stay-at-home parents and have teens, toddlers, babies, and dogs. The group believes that being in your 30s and 40s is young (isn’t it?) and like to live at the beach in the summer and play in the snow in the winter, but above all – love their kids.

Kirkland Moms Network
Kirkland Moms Network is an online support group for stay-at-home moms (and dads). The group knows the importance of getting together with other parents for support and friendship and knows the importance of kids learning to socialize at an early age. The group shares tips on everything from getting kids to eat to finding great places to go with the family. Above all, they enjoy staying home and having fun with their kids.

Kirkland/Redmond/Bellevue Toddler Playgroup
This group offers free and cheap daytime activities for toddlers (walking, but under 3-years-old) in Kirkland, Redmond and Bellevue. The group is designed mostly for nannies and stay-at-home parents and caregivers as activities take place on weekdays, during the daytime. This group is a great social experience for young children.

MOMS Club of Bellevue
This club is a chapter of the International MOMS Club, the only organization designed especially for moms who choose to stay at home with their children. If you live in Bellevue and stay at home at least part-time to care for your kiddos, this chapter might be for you! The chapter strives to plan activities that are of interest to all of its members including park days, playgroups, coffee club, field trips, and the ever-popular mom’s night out!

MOMS Club of the Sammamish Plateau
MOMS Club of Sammamish Plateau is a chapter of an International organization aimed at providing support for mothers who stay at-home or work part-time to raise their children. Their goals include supporting one another, having fun with their kids and performing service projects in the community. MOMS Club is an awesome way for you to meet other moms who share your interests while providing a safe environment for your kiddos to socialize.

 

Didn’t find the club for you?
Check out these national organizations with clubs in multiple locations throughout the Puget Sound.

Fit4Mom 
Fit4Mom started with Stroller Strides in 2001. With over 1,300 locations nationwide, it offers its members an opportunity to get in shape, meet other moms and have fun with their babies. Since it opened, it has released Fit4Baby (a prenatal fitness class) and Body Back (a workout for any stage of motherhood). All of their programs give moms the “strength for motherhood.”

Meetup
Meetup.com helps moms find other moms who share their same interests or causes and helps form lasting and influential local community groups that regularly meet face-to-face.

MOMS Club
This support group is designed for the stay-at-home mom. If you are interested in the world around you, want a variety of activities for you and your kiddos, and are proud of your choice of at-home mothering for your family, this could be the group for you!

Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS)
MOPS connects moms all over the world to a community of women, in their own neighborhoods, who meet together to laugh, cry, and embrace the journey of motherhood. MOPS groups encourage moms to be honest, to feel more equipped, and to find their identity by journeying alongside one another.

See Mommy Run
Stay fit. Stay healthy. It’s one of the most important things we can do as a mom. If you would like to join other moms in your area to run or walk or to share health, fitness, and everyday living tips, this is the group for you. See Mommy Run invites moms to join existing groups in their area or start one of their own.

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