Any Doctor's Wives Out There?

Hi J.-
My husband is in the military as well. We just moved to Philly from California! Quite a move with no family or friends here. Its going to be a BIG change if you move- trust me! But we've been here for 4mos and things are starting to look up. First, if you have any say at all, DONT move in the winter! Summer is best for meeting people and driving cross country like we did. But my hubby didnt have much of a choice. Its been more difficult for me since I stay at home and was used to having friends around and then here we are, its cold, and no friends, no outings... Yea, boring! But I've gotten to know the other wives and it helps because they are in the same situation I am so. I dont know what branch hes in but also the military provides LOTS of community things for you... Like there is something called the "Key Volunteer Wives" they help out with get togethers the local wives are having, can give advice on where the good places to go are. And if you move to any base they should have a Community Center there, they can give you tips on fun things and other advice too. Good luck! It will all work out, just have patience, and remember to NOT take it out on him! He just follows orders :)

Will you be staying home with the baby? My brother's wife is a doctor, and he stayed home with their son for 6 months. As a resident, his wife had to work crazy hours, and he was home a lot with the baby by himself. I would recommend getting involved in a small church, where the congregation is very welcoming, so you can get to know some people. A new mom needs help and support. If you could find a teenager to use as a baby-sitter, so you can have some "dates" with your husband when you can fit that into his busy schedule. I joined a MOPS (mothers of pre-schoolers) group at my church when my baby was one year old. A volunteer watches the kids while we chat, and I so look forward to that two days out of the month. One of the women also does a play group once a week that I go to. We take our daughter to the nursery at church while we're in church. I also go to Jazzercise, where daycare is provided. Make sure you get out of the house and make time for you - it's necessary for your sanity!

Well, J., I'm not a doctor's wife but I work at a nearby Army installation. My best advice to you would be that since your husband is in the military, you should contact his unit's Family Readiness Group. This group is usually organized by military spouses and they have tons of resources and information about the area. They are a wonderful support network. I would also check out the Internet using your search browser for a Chamber of Commerce in the area where you will be living. The Chamber of Commerce will be able to give you sound advice on local business, schools, housing, etc. Best of luck with the baby and the possible new job for your husband.

Hi J.,
My husband is an ENT intern at UPMC this year. We moved from Virginia last May and had our first child in September. It was a wild year, but it ended up going really well. If you do have to move, try to find a group through www.momsclub.org or www.mops.org. I know both have chapters in most major cities. They have been a LIFE SAVER for me being new to town with a new baby. Please contact me if you have any more questions or want to talk sometime. I know it helps a lot to know someone else who's been there! N.

Hi J..... We've moved around ALOT and my husband travels alot with his work (2 weeks at a time usually) I would suggest finding your local MOM's Club wherever you get settled. You can find the contact info for the nearest chapter on the main website (sorry I don't know it, but you can find it easily on line) Having other women and mom's is a great support. Also, if you decide to breast feed there are many La Leche Groups out there, any Mommy and Me groups you can find are helpful. Gymboree has classes for infants, most gyms have swim lessons for infants. My best advice is to get out there and meet other moms that you can develop a relationship with and support. Also, find something for yourself. If you like to excersise many gyms have babysitting while you work out. Finding that one thing for you is very important. Good luck!

While I am not a doctor's wife, my husband's job has caused us to move twice. The first time to the Norristown area, from Philly which was not too bad as we did know some people in the area. The second time, to here in the Lehigh Valley where we knew no one.

I took my daughter to Gymboree and researched some mom groups in this area and met many wonderful people.

Good luck with everything, the new baby and the possible move. Everything will work out in the end.

Im not a doctors wife, but im an ex-military wife. My husband and I spent 8 years in Kentucky. We were away from family and friends and we had our 9 month old son. It was very hard and my husband wasnt home much cause of work. The only thing I could say is take one day at a time. Im sure there are plenty of support groups or something of the sort out there. I do however want to thank you and your husband for support and going to school to become a doctor. My son was born with a heart condition and it took a docotr to save his life and if it wasnt for them he wouldnt have made it. Keep supporting him and things will fall into place. Good luck to the both of you!

Whereever you end up, get involved with LLL. It's a great way to find other helpful moms. :)

Not a doctor's wife but we moved when my daughter was one month old. My husband is a professor and we have moved twice (and lived in three different states) in the past two and a half years.
My best advice is to get out there. Go to anything you can and anywhere you can go to meet new people. It will be easier in a larger city...we've had a rough time meeting people here in this smaller town. Look for moms groups, hang out at the park when your baby is a little older, check out the local rec department, see if your husband meets anyone at the hospital who has young kids. Good luck. It is never easy but you can do it.

I recently moved to Pgh and researched various mom support groups. There are several throughout the area. One that I had belonged to in a different part of PA was "MOMS Club". They have chapters all over the place. I also noticed that a lot of local churches either organize or host mom groups, playgroups, etc. Having lived away from family when both of my kids were born, I understand your anxiety. That was part of our reason for moving back to Pgh - to be near family. If you move to the south hills area of Pgh contact me.

A lot of hospitals fun New Mom Groups. I have met tons of great mommies/babies going to ours adn found out about other activities in the community for us (library classes, stroller exercies, swim class, etc). It's a great way to get out of the house and meet other people at the same stage as you. Many of the people attending don't have any family nearby and are new to the area:)

hi J.,i'm sure everything will work out in the long run me and my husband live an hr from pittsburgh and all my family live in fl and we don't get along with his so i know how you feel but as long as i have my husband and 3 kids that's all that matters erie is only 3 hrs from us so if you move closer to us you can contact us so you won't feel like you don't have freinds and pittsburgh has some really good hospitals if you want to contact me my email is ____@____.com take care.