Cincinnati Mamas?

[rachelmarie]

I grew up in a suburb, north of Cincinnati, moved away for college, then moved back to the area last year. I've yet to find any crunchy AP mamas! We moved from an area with an abundance of them so it's strange feeling like the only ones who parent the way we do. I know there has *got* to be more than us around here!

Anyway, let me know if you're out there and if anyone is interested in arranging a meetup at a park, the zoo, museum, or wherever!

I have a ds who is 4.5yo and a dd who will be 2 in Nov.

Oh, we currently live in Butler Co. but as dh just got a new job, we are looking to move to the east side, closer to his job, as soon as we find a place to rent. If anyone has any ideas for great places to live that aren't terribly expensive, that'd be awesome. We are thinking Madeira or Mariemont at the this point but we are open to looking anywhere.

[Valerieg]

Welcome back! I'm also in Butler Co., Fairfield. You'd be surprised at what you can find around here. I arranged a meetup at the zoo last summer but it wasn't well attended. We're out there though.

There's a yahoo group for Cincinnati Attached Parents. And I've found them through LLLI meetings as well.

Just this past weekend I connected with a couple mamas that live near me and they get together frequently as well (once a week or more).

My kids are almost 4 (DD) and almost 2 (DS).

[akayerich]

Ooh,ohh,ohh! ME, ME, ME!
I live in Cincinnati, moved here 2 years ago. I'd definitely be interested in meeting up with some people. Let me know if you decide to do it!
My son's 7 months, maybe a little too young to really play with your kids, but we still love parks and just getting out in general.
I live on the eastside, by the way. We love it here.

[Bethanydear]

I'm here! And on the eastside

[anniebee]

Me too! I'm in Montgomery. I have two boys, 3.5 and 14 mos. We moved to the area in Dec 08, and to Montgomery a month ago.

I'm on the Cincinnati Natural Parent yahoo group, that seems to be an okay group. I tried to put together something in the spring, and had one other mama attend. There might be more potential, though. It doesn't seem to be a terribly "natural" area around here, though. (For parenting, anyway.)

I'd be up to do something with y'all!

[rachelmarie]

Oh, good!! I'm so glad there are other mamas here that are willing to get together. Now to figure out what to do! Any ideas for good parks? We usually go to Mason to a great park (my parents live in West Chester so we're over there a lot and it's not far from them) but it sounds like no one is near there. Sooo... I don't really know of other parks that would be good to meet at.

The weather is getting cooler so it should be easy to plan for a nice day at a park!

[rachelmarie]

Valerieg - where is the LLL group you go to and what time do they meet? We are in Hamilton, about a couple blocks from Fairfield. It sounds like we're pretty close!

Akayerich - I, of course, don't mind that you don't have older children. Everyone knows playgroups are for mamas anyway! Plus, both my kids love babies!

Those of you on the eastside, what towns do you recommend? We'd like something that isn't terribly expensive and that is walkable, safe, family friendly. We drove through Madeira and liked the town area. It seemed busy, but it was a Saturday around lunchtime. I saw a library, a health food store, and a Starbucks. So we'd be set.

Dh drove through Mariemont after work one day and really liked it. I haven't been there, though.

I grew up in Mason - lived there practically my whole life! I was the 4th generation on my dad's side to graduate from Mason High School. You'd think I'd know more about Cincinnati, but I don't!

[akayerich]

Originally Posted by rachelmarie

Those of you on the eastside, what towns do you recommend? We'd like something that isn't terribly expensive and that is walkable, safe, family friendly. We drove through Madeira and liked the town area. It seemed busy, but it was a Saturday around lunchtime. I saw a library, a health food store, and a Starbucks. So we'd be set.

Dh drove through Mariemont after work one day and really liked it. I haven't been there, though.

I live near Mariemont. I don't know how expensive it is to rent there. I do know that theres a really cute little "downtown" area with shops and an old movie theatre that shows a lot of independant type films, as well as some of the more popular ones that come out. There is a Cincinnati Public Library branch, and little park/playground. I think most of the neighorborhood is probably walkable. Its also not too far from the city, so you'd be closer to the museums and the zoo and stuff like that. Madiera also seems nice- but I've really only driven through it, so I don't know much about it.
You may also wanna check out Hyde Park and Oakley. Thery're right next to each other. I think Hyde Park is a little more upscale (by my standards, anyway ) You mentioned seeing a healthfood store in maderia- I think there's at least one in the Hyde Park/Oakley area, plus theres Whole Foods and the Kroger and Biggs have a lot of organic selections (more than I've seen at other Kroger's and Biggs' anyway) I'm pretty sure theres a library branch in Oakley, and they also have a neat little children's book store. And also a toy store thats a nice alternative to places like toys r us- they seem to have a fairly decent variety of simple wooden things and creative type art and music stuff (and of course all the other kinds of toys, too!)

As far as a place to meet up, maybe Ault Park? I've not lived in Cincinnati for that long, and I don't know a lot of places, so maybe other people have other suggestions. I also wouldn't have a problem with driving up your way- anything works for me!

[Valerieg]

Originally Posted by rachelmarie

Valerieg - where is the LLL group you go to and what time do they meet? We are in Hamilton, about a couple blocks from Fairfield. It sounds like we're pretty close!

The LLL group that I used to go to (I'm not nursing now and simply don't have a lot of time) is at Mercy Healthplex on Mack Rd. on the fourth Friday of every month at 10am. If you PM me then I can give you the emails of two of the leaders. They just met this past Friday, August 21. A few of the mothers from there get together on most other Fridays as well (I saw them that Saturday).

Depending on where you are in Hamilton (Lindenwald perhaps?) we may be VERY close. Maybe we can get together at Harbin Park or Joyce Park? I went to Harbin Park today but my kids love Joyce Park too. Just let me know.

[rachelmarie]

akayerich - Mariemont sounds nice! I definitely want to look into it further.

Valerieg - Thanks for the LLL info! I'll have to see if I can make it next month. I've been to Joyce Park (just driven through when we first moved here) but not to Harbin Park, which I looked up and it looks nice. Is there a playground there? I wouldn't mind meeting there sometime. I checked out the map and it's close to us. (Yes, we're in Lindenwald. ) We'll have to set up a day and time.

[Valerieg]

We aren't doing anything tomorrow or Friday if you want to meet up somewhere for some playtime and a picnic lunch. Let me know!

We're going to the zoo Monday if you'd like to do that. And really no solid plans yet for next week. Things are slow now that all of my friends kids have gone off to preschool.

[womenswisdom]

Just saw this and had to chime in! : I have a 4.5 yo ds and my dd will be 2 in Dec. I'm on the east side (Anderson) and would love to get together for a play date. We moved over here in December last year and love it. Also, there is a monthly API meeting in Cinci as well as lots of good LLL groups and a homebirth circle monthly. There are homeschool groups as well. Anyone please PM me if you're interested in setting up a playdate!

[waldorfknitmama]

Reactivating this thread!!!!!!!!!!!

Just moved to Mason-------  I need some friends!!! 

I have a 5yr old Son, 2.5yr old Son and a 7mo old Son.....

Anyone want to meet??!!

~Samantha

[CincyVegMom]

I am on the East side in Batavia, but I am always available to meet up somewhere.  We have passes to the Zoo and Museum Center--we are at the Anderson library storytimes.  We even go to the Cincinnati Family Enrichment Center sometimes.  If anyone ever wants to get together, let me know!

Kristy