Mommy & Child Classes/Groups

[Adam's Pi]

We'll be moving in a couple of months, and I'd like to try to find some Mommy & Child classes/groups in our new area. What classes do you go to? Could you please post their websites? Thanks, ladies! :)

[emschwar]

We go to gymboree (www.gymboree.com, click on play & music classes). Our local parks and rec has mommy and child play and music classes too. We're taking one this fall.

[Jen1098]

We've gone to Gymbore also and we both really enjoyed it. The only thing that I didn't like was they pretty much let everyone make up a class whenever so one day you'd have a nice smallish class and the next time you'd have a million people in there. That annoyed me. But other than that it was nice.

Music Together is a great program.www.musictogether.com (http://musictogether.com)

[Toonces]

We also go to Gymboree - DD loves it. I tried the Gym Babies class (0-6 months old, or before crawling) and that wasn't good for us. DD basically laid there or was fussy. The Gym Crawlers class (6-12 months, or before walking) is what we're in now and we really like that one. I've heard good things about My Gym (http://www.my-gym.com/), but I haven't been to one of their classes.

[Renrel]

I did a baby yoga class at a place called Isis Maternity around us. The instructor was certified to teach this class though and there is a book so I think there are others around. They had one class for nonwalkers and one for walkers. Nice movement class. I bought the book and lent it one of the daycare teachers who introduced some of the moves to the infant/toddler class as an indoor gross motor skills activity.

I also did a music class but it was run by a local teacher. Not much help to you.

Friends who have done swim class all seem to have been glad they did. We never found the time to do that one.

[mamax2]

From 7 weeks - ~ 10 months, we did Music Together and loved it. Music is enjoyabe for even the very youngest, pre-mobile baby. When my DD started walking, we switched over to Gymboree (would have continued MT if we could budget 2 classes). DD stayed in Gymboree until she was 18 months old, then we moved and have NO classes in our area plus I'm working part-time, so our time is limited :( We did an 8-session swim class about a month ago too - that was through our community association.

Also, keep in mind that many public libraries offer FREE programs (story time, sing alongs, etc.) and Parks & Rec depts. often have programs too. Ours has a story/craft class for 2-5 y.o. that I'd like to start *if* I end up not working when baby #2 is born. These programs are all more reasonably priced than private classes, if that's a consideration.

[MrsTazlvr]

If you are looking for a moms group to get to gether with other moms, you can always do a search at groups.yahoo.com and see what groups are in your new area. I know where I live- South Florida- there are MANY moms groups to choose from. Ones specific to cities, ages, religions, etc. Good luck.

[katnbug]

We also go to Gymboree (same one as catgirl... HI! ) and love it. In addition to their scheduled classes they have "open gym" time. That's good for when you get desperate for something to do.

We do the public library classes as well, but ours are very randomly scheduled so I miss half of the classes! Definitely something you should look at though - hey, they're FREE!

I also just signed DS up for swim lessons starting in September at our park district. DS is just over 10 months and our park district didn't have too much for this age, but as the kids get older there are tons of options.

Good luck with your move!

[Sidsou]

We go to The Little Gym http://www.thelittlegym.com/ and love it.

We also go to mommy and me swim classes at the Y - you can check in the neighborhood that you are moving to, if they have any YMCAs or swim clubs.

Ditto for the library too. They may also have ads or brochures about neighborhood baby/kid places.

Once you move, check out the playgrounds for other moms and ask or even neighbors with kids.

[tray622]

Just have to add that we *heart* Gymboree. We have been going since Zoey was 6 weeks and she gets so excited when we show up. I have also heard great things about kindermusik.

[twinnyme]

Also, keep in mind that many public libraries offer FREE programs (story time, sing alongs, etc.) and Parks & Rec depts. often have programs too. Ours has a story/craft class for 2-5 y.o. that I'd like to start *if* I end up not working when baby #2 is born. These programs are all more reasonably priced than private classes, if that's a consideration.

A library near us has a storytime for 0-12 months that we go to - mostly it's music and a story or two because of their attention span and it's only 25 minutes. But it's free and it's great. Most of the time there are about 15-20 moms and kids in it, but every once in a while it's very cried. It is on Fridays, though, so we don't always get to go (I work part-time), but when we do, DD loves it - and I'm starting to recognize some faces, having gone now 4 or 5 times. I had to do a little searching in the area to find a 0-12 month one, but there are many more options for older babies/kids.

Also, there's a national group called Mothers & More that may have a chapter in your area: http://www.mothersandmore.org/

[PrincessCrappy]

Our local YMCA has a lot of mommy & me type classes that are included in your monthly membership fee. I plan on joining once the kiddo arrives.

[twinnyme]

Adam's Pi - I just came back to post again because I received a BabyZone newsletter in email today and its title is "We Love to Learn: Best Classes for Kids!" so you may want to go to babyzone.com and see if you can find some in Ohio. Mine is Boston-based but I think you can switch location. Have a good move!