Playgroup Profiles

If you're new to BMA or just thinking of trying out a new playgroup, the profiles below may be of help to you. For each playgroup we've compiled a little bit of information about the mommies and children in each group and the types of activities each playgroup participates in.

If you have questions or comments about any of the playgroups, or if you are interested in starting a new playgroup, please contact the Playgroup Coordinator at playgroups@brooksidemothers.org.

Born Spring 2006 - Present
Wednesdays, 1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

There are about 13 Mommies in this playgroup, although on an average day only five to seven attend. All of the mommies in this playgroup are first time mommies. Most of the mommies are stay-at-home mommies, although three or four of them still work part-time. Before they had children these mommies worked in fields such as nursing, real estate and graphic design. When this group gets together with their babies they meet at the library, local parks, and at hostesses' homes. The mommies in this group do get together to socialize without their children - they just had their first cocktail party together and they plan on getting together at least once a month as "just Mommies" (husbands optional) for barbecues, dinners or cocktails.

Born Fall 2005 - Spring 2006
Tuesdays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

In this playgroup there are currently about 17 Mommies, with an average of about ten mommies attending each week. There is only one child with a younger sibling in this group. Most of the mommies in this group are stay-at-home mommies, although a few do work part-time. Before they had children the mommies in this group had careers as physical therapists, physicians, social workers, interior designers, salespeople and realtors. In the wintertime this group usually gets together at hostesses' homes or public libraries. In the summer they frequently meet at local parks and playgrounds. The mommies in this group do get together to socialize without their children - in fact, they just had an evening at "Let's dish" - they had a great time preparing delicious meals to take home to their families.

Born Fall 2004 - Summer 2005
Mondays, 3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

There are almost 45 mommies in this playgroup, although on an average day about 15 attend. There are four children who have a younger sibling who comes to playgroup with them, although this number is growing! Most of the mommies in this group no longer work, but there are a few who still work full or part-time in fields such as education, the law, speech pathology, interior design, nursing, personal training and massage therapy. This group meets for playgroup at hostesses homes and local parks, and when they get together to socialize without the children they meet for brunches and dinners.

Born Fall 2004 - Summer 2005
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

There are 53 mommy/child pairs signed up for this playgroup, with about 10 - 12 pairs attending the average playgroup. There are five children who have a younger sibling who also attends, although this number will be growing since almost all the "regulars" are pregnant. Most of the mommies stay at home since having children, although several do work part-time as teachers, caterers and consultants. Before they became stay-at-home mommies the women in this group had careers as social workers, teachers, lawyers, pharmaceutical reps, interior decorators, and small business owners. When this group gets together for playgroup they meet at hostesses' homes in the winter, and at local parks and playgrounds in the summer. One of their favorite places to meet is the wading pool at Arbor Villa (Edgevale) Park. The mommies in this group do get together occasionally to socialize without their children. They have met for "movie night" a couple of times, and they recently held a group baby shower for several of the members who were pregnant.

Born Summer 2004 - Winter 2005
Wednesdays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

This playgroup currently has about 15 Mommy/child pairs, although only about eight - ten attend regularly. Nine of the children who attend this playgroup have a younger sibling who also attends, with at least one more younger sibling expected soon. The majority of the mommies in this group are now stay-at-home mommies, although several still do work part time. Before having children the mommies in this group worked in such fields as education, nursing, pharmaceutical sales and financial services. This group likes to visit a wide variety of places, as well as meet at hostesses' homes. They've had memorable playgroups at Wonderscope, Crown Center, the Kansas City Zoo and Deanna Rose Children's Farm, although the Plaza Library is one of their favorite places to visit. In nice weather they enjoy exploring local parks, and they love to try out new playgrounds. The mommies in this group do try to get together to socialize without their children from time to time, usually meeting for cocktails or dinner at a local bar or restaurant. They held a group birthday party for all of the children late last summer, which was a lot of fun for everyone.

Born Fall 2003 - Spring 2004
Fridays, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

There are 16 mommy/child pairs in this playgroup, although on an average day only about five attend. Over half of the children in this group have a younger sibling who also attends. Most of the mommies in this playgroup are now stay-at-home mommies, although some do still work part-time. Before having children the mommies in this group had careers as teachers, graphic designers, architects, salespeople and accountants. This group usually meets at hostesses' homes, although occasionally they'll meet at the park or a library. This group of mommies does occasionally socialize without their children by meeting for dinners and "girls' nights out."

Born Spring 2002 - Summer 2003
Fridays, 3:30 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.

In this playgroup there are 21 mommies, with six to eight attending each playgroup session. Most of the children in this playgroup have a younger sibling who also attends. Approximately two thirds of the mommies in this group now stay at home exclusively. Before they became stay-at-home mommies they worked in such diverse fields as floral designer, a few "corporate climbers," graphic designer, teacher, audiologist, rehab director, advertising, marketing, occupational therapy, sales, attorney, research analyst, lighting designer/electrical engineer. The mommies who still work part-time include a floral designer, a graphic designer, a tutor, a teacher, an interior architect and designer, and two sales people. One member still works full-time as a neonatal nurse practitioner. When this group gets together they usually meet at members' homes. Sometimes they'll meet at a park or at Ceramic Café, one of their favorite places to visit. The mommies in this group do get together to socialize without their children. Members often host book clubs, dinner clubs, movie nights, and other mom-only BMA activities.