| Boy, it's nice to hear about a grandparent who enjoys their
grandchild(ren)! I remember when my first child was born
I asked my Mother-In-Law if she'd like to watch my daughter
so we (her son and I) could attend a wedding.
She said, "Well, I wouldn't 'like' to, but I'll watch her."
THAT was the first and last time I ever asked.
My daughter recently turned 11 and her Grandmother took her
shopping for a dress. That's the closest they've ever been
to a second babysitting experience or her Grandmother giving
of herself.
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I know Maynard is not the North Shore, but let me tell you about
a playgroup that my mother-in-law brings my daughter and my neice
to once a week.
The playgroup was started by a small group of mothers in Maynard.
It is held once a week from 9:30am until 12noon. St. Bridgets
church donates their church hall for this purpose. The playgroup
has grown from a small group to many parents participating each
week with their children.
It began with families donating toys, books, arts and crafts materials
and they now ask for just $1.OO donation each week to purchase other
materials. During parties on special occasions, they have raffles
with donated items to raise additional funds. A small committee
recently put together a cookbook with recipes from the playgroup
families to raise money as well.
Parents take turns reading books, demonstrating crafts or the children
have fun just playing together as well. Parents take turns bringing
light snacks and juice each week.
Out of this playgroup many friendships have formed. Many of the
families go to MacDonalds together for lunch after the playgroup,
which the children love. They attend each other's birthday's etc.
Parents of the children have also organized Pizza parties for the
families and also an occasional adult nights out.
My mother in law has become very involved with the group and really
enjoys the company of the other mothers and grandmothers as well.
And although I am at work each day, I have taken some vacation time
to attend the playgroup and other functions related to it and have
come to know some of the other families as well.
If you would like additional information, please write to me and I
can direct you to a couple of the organizers of the group. If it
is not too far, you might want to attend one Friday with your
grandchild.
It is amazing how word of mouth spreads and how the playgroup has
grown.
Regards,
Janet MacGillivary
ASABET::MACGILLIVARY
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| Hi,
I am also from the North Shore (North of Boston, I assume).
There is a Gymborie program in Melrose and Peabody that I
enjoyed with both of my daughters.
Also, there was an Art Program they attended in Belmont for
pre-schoolers. Maybe Belmont would be too far to drive but
you may want to explore an art program within an art center
.... maybe there is one in the Marblehead Salem area.
Good luck !
Kathleen
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