Savvy Parenting : Making the Most of "Mommy & Me" Classes The Savvy Source for Parents

Everyone will tell you: when you have kids, you'll make new friends. Kids come with a seemingly unending calendar filled with events such as school, extracurricular activities, birthday parties and more. But the first encounter most mothers have with the mommy contingent comes in the form of "Mommy & Me" classes.

Starting as early as just days after returning from the hospital with your bundle of joy and lasting well into the preschool years is the phenomenon known as Mommy & Me. Typically this involves some group setting intended to be together-time for mom and tot in a social environment where kids can be with other kids and by default, moms can socialize with other moms. Sounds simple, right?

Well, not necessarily.

Moms can be one of the most difficult groups to penetrate, especially if you are a newcomer. But if you are looking to make the most of Mommy & Me, making mommy friends makes running after your child week after week slightly more palatable.

It's almost like dating. You meet in group, you see them a few times a week, but how do you take it to the next level? How do you know if they like you? It seems like they do, but how do you really know? Do you just put yourself out there and go for it?

Actually, you do. If you feel a bit of a connection with a mom, ask about what her child's schedule is like. Could you plan a play-date? A coffee date? You do the inviting. Ask the duo to come to your house or if the weather is good, plan a neutral park date. Feel like stepping it up a notch? See if she wants to meet at a local ice cream parlor where the kids can play and have a treat while the two of you, well, get to know each other a bit.

It's intimidating. Why is that? Any mom will agree that dating other moms is reminiscent of the high-school scene, where everyone is just a little self-conscious and a lot socially awkward. But if you forget all of that and just go for it, chances are you'll be Queen Bee in no time at all.

And hey, your new friends may even come with tolerable daddies to keep your child's daddy company during football season.

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