Playdate anxiety

[busymama77]

I'm meeting a couple of new mamas this weekend for the first time at a playdate at a local park. We met on another mama site last week.
By nature, I'm usually a bit stand-offish when I first met new people or join a group. It takes me a while to warm up, but once I do, I'm happy-go-lucky - cracking jokes, etc.,. Some have misinterpreted it as being a 'bitch' or 'stuck up'. But that's not me at all. Like I said, it just takes me a while to warm up.

We've already 'talked' a bit online, found that we have some things in common, and I just LOVE to talk about my boys and show them off, so why do I feel so weird about this - nervous?

Any advice or suggestions you could give me? I really would like for this to become either a weekly or monthly get together and hopefully invite the DH's along as well.

[operamommy]

Well, I'd just be honest! Greet them with welcoming smiles, tell them how excited you are about getting together, and confide that you are a bit nervous. I'm betting the other mamas are feeling the same way you are.

[Learning_Mum]

I am perceived the same way (well, I used to be) but the best thing is to just SMILE. Big smile when you say hello! Even if you can't think of much to say and spend most of the time listening to the other Mama's talk, if you smile they'll at least know you're friendly.

I think once you get there you'll be fine. If you already know a bit about them, and you have common interests it should be fairly easy to strike up a conversation.

[Learning_Mum]

Oh, and ask lots of questions!

[busymama77]

Originally Posted by Learning_Mum

Oh, and ask lots of questions!

Thanks! I think that's one of my biggest downfalls. I've got so much to share - especially about the boys - that I sometimes forget to ask others about their LO's or their lives in general. Something I really need to work on. Maybe this will give me a fresh start.