Parents seeking support can find help in specialized playgroups
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By The Associated Press
Published: October 14, 2007
When Anna Dasbach's daughter was a toddler, she joined a playgroup for children adopted from China because she wanted AnMei to meet other girls from her homeland. The other moms became a great support to Dasbach, too, as the Santa Cruz, Calif., mom navigated life as an adoptive mother.
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Playgroups, long a loose fellowship of stay-at-home moms, are becoming more specialized as parents with particular interests look for friends and support. Relationships and play dates are forming on the basis of food allergies, religious beliefs and parenting styles.
The Internet has helped facilitate niche playgroups. Many groups develop Web sites to promote themselves and their events, and use e-mail to share information.
"Some parents benefit from having a sounding board,” said Jonathan Pochyly, a child psychologist at Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago. "It is helpful to know you're not the only person who struggled with this.”
Jeannette Zell started a playgroup for working mothers because she needed weekend play dates for her children, 4-month-old Dylan and 18-month-old Austin. But she also wanted to mingle with other moms who juggle kids and jobs. "I wanted it to be more than a playgroup,” the Virginia Beach, Va., resident says. "I wanted to get 'mom friends' more than friends for the kids.”
"It's fun to meet someone where you can talk about something other than your kids,” the 39-year-old said. "I wouldn't really understand just hanging out with someone because her kid is my kid's friend.” It's natural for moms to look for other women with similar beliefs and experiences, says Karen Deerwester, a parent educator and early childhood specialist in Pompano Beach, Fla.
In her daughter's playgroup, Karen Burtnett shares the worries and joys of parenting a child with Down syndrome.
"I think it's really helpful to have someone in a similar situation to relate to,” said the Melrose, Mass., mother.
"The joy is so much richer when you're sharing it with each other,” said Burtnett.
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