Playdate? ;(

[Bonnie61405]

I found a MeetUp Group in my area all with babies born in 2009. My son and I are getting bored and I would love to get together with other woman and babies. However I posted something on the discussion board asking if there were any AP minded mommas. None of the woman practice AP and didnt seem to fond of the idea either. 

Do you think I would be wasting my time by meeting up with them? I really want my son to have other babies to play with and I wouldnt mind the mom company either. I can just see now they will think I am some weirdo! 

[RanaAurora]

Well, if you just do it at a park or something, it works out well because the kids just play.  It's beneficial for the kiddos.

I find though that in-home playdates or trying to make friends with moms who are very NON-AP is very, very difficult for me.

[Bonnie61405]

I am the same way Rana! I have distanced myself from good friends because I disagree with their parenting style. ;( I am just dyeing for some AP minded friends...I was at church last week and saw a woman wearing her baby...I got exited and approached her ...then asked about AP and she looked at me like I was crazy ;( I am getting desperate here ;) hehe 

[RanaAurora]

Go to Le Leche League meetings!  There's going to be some women who JUST breastfeed and don't know much else, but if you can find AP moms anywhere, THAT would be the place to start!

[Bonnie61405]

I cant believe I have not thought of  that!!!!!!! I just went to the website and found the next meeting and am UBER exited ;) Thanks ;)  

[chrissy12507]

I joined a general mom's group in the area and love it. Some of the other mom's are AP, some aren't, but we all get along great. So do the kids. I don't think it's a pre-requisite to think exactly like me just to be my friend, ya know?

[Bonnie61405]

You have a really good point! There are probably some really good sweet mothers there. I shouldn't turn my nose up to all moms just because they dont practice AP. I guess I have just had bad experiences in the past!  

[6under1roof]

THere could be many, like me, that have never heard of the term either, so when you say it, it sounds weird and they think you must be leashing your child to you or something strange LOL

I'd say give them a chance because they COULD be doing things the same style, but not label it as "AP" or even know that there IS such a label. So mingling with them will better give you an idea of whether your parenting styles are the same... or the same ENOUGH that you could hang out

[RanaAurora]

I don't need my friends to be exactly like me, but I do need to be able to respect them as parents and not cringe when I'm around them, ya know?  I'm actually struggling with a local "Friend" right now because her Facebook status updates include things like "(My six month old) is crying in her crib because it's her nap time and I need to wash dishes." or "I hate when she fake cries.  It's pissing me off."

Yeah.  She's breastfeeding and baby wearing, but she has no understanding of her daughter's needs and is a piece of crap selfish bitch.  Makes it pretty hard to be around her because of her parenting, you know?

[6under1roof]

That sounds like she's just the opposite then, instead of someone who has an AP parenting style but doesn't know it, she sounds like she wants the label but doesn't want to actually practice it.

[Bonnie61405]

Rana this is exactly what I have been dealing with. I have distanced myself from old friends because it breaks my heart to see them let their babies CIO  ect.....I cant be good friends with a mother who I disagree with so highly when it comes to parenting styles. It breaks my heart but that is just how it is...