Hello, we have been here for almost a year. I have a 3yr old girl and 1yr old boy, both with special needs. My hubby and I have been married for a year, so sea duty is new to me. I am a sahm looking to find some friends just like me. I have met some ship wives and they were less than "friend" material! I am so glad I found this website :) Amanda
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Linda, Welcome to the area,
Linda,
Welcome to the area, we hope you find a variety of resources for you and your family and that you enjoy parenting in Hampton Roads. Feel free to check our site frequently for updates on Hampton Roads living, and for parenting information, grab a copy of Tidewater Parent magazine. We're monthly, free, and easy to find at area stores, YMCAs, schools, etc.
Jennifer O'Donnell
Editor, Tidewater Parent
Welcome Linda
Linda,
I do live on the Peninsula but I am from Norfolk and the last of my old friends to have kids, so I was in the same boat. My girls are school age now, but when they were home we went the the Main St. Library in Newport News and the York Co. Library for storytimes every week. The great part is getting free books, movies and CDs. Google their websites. It is a great way to meet stay at home parents. The Riverview Dance and Gymnastics Center has a some great affordable classes as does Midtown Community Center for swim classes (Newport News). I also recommend Family Focus. The group we went to was having financial troubles but Mary Immaculate Hospital has a Family Focus playgroup as well at St. George Church in Newport News. When you go every week you meet the same people. Finally, there is a group called Peninsula Mommies and you should also google MOPS (mothers of preschoolers) for the local group. And one montly activity is Story and a Walk at Newport News Park at 10 a.m. on the second Wed. of the month. Hope this helps.
Susan Smigielski Acker
New Here
Hi I am new here and I am a bit older mom. We live on the Peninsula and it's really hard to meet people when your SAHM we are not military. I have done this once before I have a now 7 yr old and went back to work for awhile. We have a 1 yr old with special needs and it's really hard to find any kind of playgroups or such with special needs chidren from 0-5. Does anyone have suggestions that would be great if you did.
Thanks,
Linda
welcome!
Hi Linda, welcome. We love the library, great activities plus storytimes and chatting with other moms, if we go often enough we tend to see the same families and that sometimes turns into other playdates/groups outside the library. Good luck, Michelle Galvez
Welcome!
Linda,
We're glad you're here. While I'm not too familiar with what's available on the Peninsula, my wife and I have found a lot of friends (for us and our kids) through parent/child exercise classes at the YMCA and other places like that. Those classes also seem like a great place for parent-child bonding and they often turn into an informal support group. Plus, any exercise is good exercise!
Hi Linda, Welcome to the
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the area and to the site. I know it's hard not being in the military and trying to meet people!
I have two ideas that might help. Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters has a support group for parents of special needs children. I found their numbers online: (757) 668-7941 or (757) 668-8546. The info noted that they have groups both in Norfolk and on the Peninsula. You might also want to try looking at Meetup.com. They have dozens of local groups for people with lots of different interests and most of them are open to new members.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com
New to the Area
You sound mature and smart. I would recommend some story times at a library or two. They are a great way to meet like-minded parents in your area. If you are close to more than one library, do two story times. They are different to the kids, I did Tuesday in NN and Thurs in York. They all have a craft to do with your child, your child's age. Check this website for ideas on the calendar page. However, it is just a sampling of activites, Va Beach has one of the best library programs for kids in the area. It is fun to paste, talk a grown up and child at the same time. Be ready to multi task. Also check with parks and rec, Y, or military gym for mommy and me classes of all kinds such as dance or swim classes. When the beach opens, it helps to be prepared. In Va Beach, the check the arts at CACV. (cacv.org). A local church sometimes has mom and me classes. Many times you do not have to be a member of the church. The history sites are very interesting, but not always with a toddler. Let us know what you find.
Susan Smigielski Acker
New here to
Hello, Well im sort new here to, my husband was stationed here right out of Aschool and we moved down here to hampton, but I hated it and my husband hated having to wait in traffic at the tunnel every morning. So we moved to virginia beach but I still did not feel safe so when he left on deployment I went home. Well when he came back I decided i'd come back and stay here the next time he went on deployment and that time is here and I still have not met anyone. I have met a few wives from his ship but there all so young and either just having kids or dont have any and I do not relate to any of them. they want to go out and drink and i'm not into that kind of thing anymore. I like to have coffee or go to a movie I'm very laid back. I also have a three year old and being a stay at home mom its hard to find play dates casue its hard to meet people when you don't work. I really hope to meet some new people and start getting out of this house! hope everyone has a wonderful day !!!
-ang
Ang
Hi there!
Hi there! I too am new to this site and also am a military wife looking to branch out and make new friends. Especially since we have a 2 year old (as of the 10th of this month) and we do not have friends with children...babies anyway. I too have met some of my husbands shipmate spouses but didn't seem to have much in common with them. Hope this place helps us meet some new buddies :O)
Sherrie
Proud NAVY WIFE
Mommy to David Ronlee (age 2)
Welcome, Amanda! We have a
Welcome, Amanda! We have a few moms on here with special needs kids and husbands in the military -- hope you can chat with them and all of us. Have you been finding ways to get the kids out of the house and still stay warm? Mine want to go ice skating outside after school and I'm really, really hoping they change their minds and decide to go to the Y for a swim in the warm, warm pool.
Kristen De Deyn Kirk
Editor, Mytidewatermoms.com