Thank You! - Salinas, CA

In Pacific Grove it's called Parent's Place. The have tons of drop-in classes either music, science, art, etc. They also have core classes which you have to sign up for. It's for you and your son, it's once a week for two hours. They have play time, art time, music, and story time. During snack time the moms talk about things they struggling with their kids to get more ideas. It's fantastic. They also have a program call Parents As Teachers or the PAT program. Once a month a teacher will come into your home with toys to interact with your child and just to give your ideas on development. They're not telling you what to do or where your child should be, it's just more ideas. Since you are in the military, there is also some of the Core classes over at the Community center on Gigling by the Commisary. The number for Gail at parents place is ###-###-####. She is kind of head of Parent's Place and was also my daughters teacher. You can say A. Cavanaugh recommended it if you want.

Hello ladies,
I wanted to add some suggestions. There are few groups that have formed on meetup.com for the Salinas/Monterey area. There are meetups in PG, Toro Park, and another starting in Salinas this Tuesday on W. Acacia at a park there.

Another possibility which I love is the Salinas Adult School. I take my son to Exploring Times each Thursday in the 18-24 month age group but there are age groups from newborn and so on. (baby gym, shakers and movers, etc.) The session just started but the great thing is that you can add yourself anytime and they are really flexible about when you get there etc. Of course it's a "public school" so their funding is based on your attendence once you sign up so I try to make it each week even if it's only for an hour.

LeLeche League also meets in PG the 2nd Tuesday of every month. That's a far drive for me, so I've only attended a few times but they are a very nice and helpful group and if I was closer I would go every month.

As for activitites just for mom, I am starting to have scrapbooking get togethers beginning this month and plan to hold some type of workshop or gathering once a month. If anyone is interested in that, please send me a message for more details. I'm a consultant but my primary goal is to meet other ladies who love to scrapbook and not always do it alone!

Anyway, I hope some of these and the other suggestions posted will be helpful. I'm also interested in starting the mommy milk meetup group on meetup.com but looking for someone interested in sharing the start up fee. Let me know if you're interested in that as well!

Thanks!!

Hello. I would love to get involved in the group you are starting, if non-military people are allowed. Also, there's a great place called the Central Coast Language and Learning Center (CCLLC) on Munras Avenue in Monterey. My friend is a speech therapist and started an Infant (9-24 mos.) group. It's M-F from 9-12 and is a wonderful group. My 18-month old son just loves it. They have a Tumbling Tutor one day, Music Together one day, and Speech Therapy another day. He's learning so much and they even have conferences for the parents! If you're interested, the phone number is ###-###-####.

Good luck!

Hi, We are also looking for a playgroup for my grandson. He is 5 and has autism but is used to being around the children at Sunday School. We are homeschooling him this year and are looking for some other children to play with at the park or wherever once a week or so. Please let me know if you are interested or know any other groups that he might be able to join in...
Thanks.
-G. K