Moms' Night Out Ideas

Play dates are great for socializing baby and getting mom connected with a mom network. But moms also need to plan time away from the kids.  Some moms plan them monthly, others put together a yearly girls weekend. Whatever you can pull off--we say do it! Here are some ideas:

Spa Outings. Back in December Suave approached me about throwing a "Girls Night Out" party.  They provided me with a budget for food, drink and a hairdresser, all I had to do was find moms ready for a night of pampering. As the stylist tamed our tresses, we drank cava and nibbled on a shrimp salad. While Suave might not sponsor your event, many local salons are happy to provide group rates and will let you open a bottle of wine while you get spoiled.

Join a book club. Put the date on your calendar and enlist a grandparent, spouse or partner to watch the kids as you head out for literary conversation.

Knitting circles are all the rage. MeetUp.com has listing across the nation of groups that sit and knit.  Not necessarily moms, this will help you get crafty and a bit of adult conversation. Needle craft events are also called "Stitch and B*&^%" sessions.

Bowling is always good for laughs--especially when I am around.  This is one sport where being a novice won't slow the group down.

Live Music. Remember back before the kids when you went to concerts?  You can regain some of your cool again.  Head to Ticketmaster.com or check out your local paper and find an appealing concert.  Then put on high heels, red lipstick and get your groove on.

Quick Fix
And if you simply can't find a sitter, we've got a way to connect with your gal pals once the kiddies are asleep. Jyl from Mom it Forward plans a weekly Twitter party on Monday nights from 9-11 EST.

After you have a GNO or two under your belt, I promise you'll start to get addicted to the comaraderie--from there get ready to plan a bigger undertaking.

Plan a Girlfriend Getaway.  Did you know there is an entire magazine devoted to travel without men and kids! Budget Traveler launched Girlfriend Getaways just for our target audience. Some deals start as low as $145 (A night's stay plus horseback riding in Kansas).  Check out this list of Fresh-Air ideas that are all budget oriented.

Combine fitness and fun. Put a 5k or fitness walk on your calendar and then enlist a group of girlfriends to train for the event.  Need inspiration?  Check out www.eatblogrun.com.  A group of Mom bloggers are training for "The Relay"--a 200 mile long relay race from the Calistoga Beverage Company in Napa Valley, across the Golden Gate Bridge at midnight, to finish on the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. 12-member teams run 36 legs (3 legs per runner, 3-8.9 miles each) through 36 cities. I'm not suggesting you need something this time-consuming.  Start off with a 5k and then a celebratory brunch with pals.

Places to Meet Other New Moms

We all need to have a Mommy Time Out from the kids. Whether you are brand new to motherhood or the mom of ‘tweens and teens, all Moms need time away from the little people to unwind and vent a little. Smart moms know the power of friendship and mommy groups. Here are a few ways to connect with other moms both in person and via the web:

Join a New Mom’s Group: Start at your church or local community center or look into a online group. In New York City, Metropolitan Moms organizes outings and regular classes for moms and babies.  In Minneapolis, hip moms go to Mom Culture to plan outings aimed at providing a cultural fix. Parents in Boston rely on Boston Mamas for outing ideas--from book readings to theater performances.

Fitness: New moms are eager to reclaim their prebaby figures.  Why not build your mommy network as you build muscles and bond with baby! Stroller Strides are fitness classes for mom and baby.  The national program has franchises everywhere.  If swimming is your thing, look into a Mommy and Me class at your local YMCA or gym.  Once baby is 3 months, you can have a family splash down.  Yoga classes are idea for getting your core toned up.  In New Moms rely on the Baby & Me classes at Mala Yoga for a playdate full of downward dogs and giggles.

If the thought of an organized outing seems a little overwhelming, I suggest heading to the local coffee shop, park or playground. Wear a smile (and your baby) and you'll start meeting new moms in no time at all.

Online Options: Working moms often only have nighttime hours to bond with gal pals.  Thank goodness a slew of virtual groups provide support and saucy conversation.  Newbies to the world of social networking will love the ease of Cafe Mom for meeting moms with similar interests.

Once you've gotten the hang of this, you might consider Twitter Moms (for moms that want to keep their messages short and sweet--140 characters or less) is a fun group and you can join in the fun without having to leave the house or commit to a lengthy chat.

Remember you are not alone in your quest to get your baby to eat, sleep and communicate.