Sometimes, watching Baby Einstein or playing with blocks gets old. Sometimes, you just wanna do something different, you know... shake it up a bit. This kind of bleh feelng can only be solved by one thing....a playgroup.
I used to really revolt against the idea of a playgroup. It seemed so forced, so planned- the opposite of fun. Unless you have a group of friends with children who live in your neighborhood, as a parent you have to go make friends with perfect strangers so your kids can make friends. Don't get me wrong, its totally worth it, but as an introvert of sorts, its always been a struggle for me to reach out like this.
Anyway, my stance on playgroups has changed. Big time. Having an active two year old during one of the snowiest winters in years will change how you view things. But now that I have become a willing participant, there do not seem to be any groups to participate in! I have spent the last two days looking for playgroups near us, to no avail. Sure, there are groups in Ft. Greene or Clinton Hill, and apparently there is a new playgroup at Still Hip on Grand Avenue. But there do not appear to be any groups for Bed Stuy central.
I must be mistaken. And if I am not mistaken, why don't we have any play groups in Bed Stuy?
Set me straight or feel free to answer this question from the perspective of a parent, a community member, or an amateur anthropologist. I just need a place to take the child, and soon.
Hi there! I currently live in Clinton Hill, but I'm moving to Bed-Stuy in a few weeks and I'm definitely interested in finding playgroups and activities close to home. I don't want to feel like I always have to head back to CH or FG. There used to be a moms group that met at both the Colador and Sucre - both near Bedford and Dekalb. I have a 19mo old and I'd love to see regular playgroups popping up. Or I can try to start one when I move in!
ReplyDeleteExcited about your blog - I'll be checking in!
The Stuyvesant Heights Parents Association organizes play groups, I believe.
ReplyDelete@Marisa- Thanks for your comment! I have been to Colador, although not for a mom's group- great food :) If you start a play group when you move, count me in :) I am going to keep looking, so if I find something I will post.
ReplyDelete@ Anonymous- I will check out the Stuyvesant Heights Parents Association. Thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteA few of us go every Tuesday to the Marcy Library (at Dekalb and Nostrand) for their storytime at 2pm and then stay after to play with toys that the children's librarian puts out. My son has been coming here since he was 9 months old and now he's 3.5 years old. Unfortunately the 2pm time is naptime for a lot of toddlers but for anyone who's kid is not napping anymore or naps at a different time, it's really great. It used to be earlier but the library had to change their hours due to budget cuts :(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tip Satya!
ReplyDeleteI'd join a Bed Stuy play group! I think one problem with play groups in general is finding a place to meet that caters to all age groups. I have a 3-yr-old and a 6 month old... with the baby, I can just meet at a coffee shop and he'll have fun. But my 3-yr-old needs to be somewhere with toys, space to run around, etc. If you want to organize a small group of kids and parents/ caregivers that rotates houses, I'd be down to host. Then, when the weather gets warmer, we can move to Von King or the Tompkins/ Halsey playground. I'll DM you with my info so you can contact me directly.
ReplyDeletei live on putnam as well and have a VERY ACTIVE two-year-old. would be happy to join in any group! will message you my info as well. and i'll check out the marcy library!
ReplyDeletecannot find a way to message you. might just be missing it.
ReplyDeleteHi ladies! I have a 3 year old and 6 month old and I live on Putnam :-) we go to several playgroups:
ReplyDeleteMon - we attend story hour at Macon library 10:30am then directly after Music for Aadrvarks with the :-)
I believe they have parent run playground Wed and Fri
Tues and Wed are our free days - winters we go to our favorite spots - BK Children's museum, even IKEA :-)
Thursdays are music classes at Baby & Me with Quincy
Friday is a playgroup at Baby & Me. The structure is like pre pre school: circle time/welcome songs, activity, snack, parent discussion while kids play, then clean up song.
We miss Brownstone Books (Never went to Nairobis Knapsack for playgroups but had my oldests 2nd bday there that place was so cute!) but fill week with other
activities...
Sat we will start swimming again in spring - we took
the winter off...
Hope this helps! Informal gatherings at the park on corner of Stuyvesant and Fulton come spring... We sometimes hit playground on Lafayette and Washington :-)
Simone
Jackson 3 and Christian's Mommy!
Oo this is such an interesting post! I also have issues socializing with other moms for some reason, I think because I feel younger than most FG parents. I'm 25 and have two little ones. It's great to know there are people in the area who hve similar aged kids. I am off Bedford and Willoughby. I really want to explore Von King park this spring!
ReplyDeleteMorgan
mom to Ruben (3 in two weeks) and Beto (9 months)
thank you for the post. I am also searching for play groups in the area (although I work full-time in the city) and my sitter would take her, and would love for my daughter to meet other babies in the neighborhood. She also takes her to Macon Library on Mondays and Wednesdays, and just went to Bedford Library on Friday morning for a nice class for babies/toddlers. They've also been to the Brooklyn Children's Museum. Please let me know if anyone starts a group. There is not enough activity in Bedstuy- and I don't want her to have to travel to FG or CH just to interact with other children.
ReplyDeleteLori
mommy to Zoey (4 mos.)
@Morgan- Moms of all ages should be able to relate to each other...we all share a common set of experiences. Hey, I am almost 37 (did I just type that?!?) but I feel like a kid most days. Also, according to my calendar, only 15 days till spring!
ReplyDelete@Lori: A bunch of us are attempting to start a group, we just need to find a good space. I promise to post when we have details finalized. Also, how awesome is it that your 4 month old goes all those places!
ReplyDeletehey ladies, I live in Bed Stuy and will be taking care of my nieces for 2 months starting April 15th- they are 2.5 and 4 years as their mom gets back into the workforce. Would really appreciate a playgroup. Please let us know!
ReplyDeleteHi! i'd love to know a playground everyone goes to- i have two boys - one who's 3 and one who's 9 mos. I'd love for my 3 year old to make some friends in the neighborhood! we have a playground across the street from us- it's the one at Tompkins and Macon that we always go to but there are mostly older kids there...
ReplyDeleteGet in touch if you have kids in this age range!
Hi
ReplyDeleteI have a 19 month old and we're thinking of moving to Bed Stuy. We're looking near the area of Tompkins Park but would love to get an idea of the area (especially from a parents's perspective). What's been your experience like living there (in terms of safety walking around, the parks, transportation and kid activities)?
Thanks!
Hi Friends! I realize this post is a bit old, but I wanted to post just in case. Honeybirds Playschool is a Waldorf-based nursery school in Clinton Hill/Bed-Stuy, that may very well suit some of the needs posted here. We began our work in the neighborhood in 2012 with 10 kids and one classroom. This year, we are very excited to announce that we are expanding! We have a new space, a new classroom, new teachers and a reignited devotion to providing excellent early childhood education at an affordable price in the neighborhood.
ReplyDeleteWe offer a full-time preschool program, M-F, 9am to 3pm for children aged 2.5-3.5 (ages can vary pending conversation with lead teachers). If you are interested in learning more about us, our diverse staff and varied passions, please email us at honeybirds.bk@gmail.com
Thank you!
Honeybirds Playschool