Mommy and Me. - Islip,NY

Call your local public pre school. Out here there is a free program called PACT. You get together at their building with other moms and babies. They have things to do and snacks. They have outtings at local parks etc. You can also have one on one and they help with adjusting to new milestones and problems you may be having. That is for any age chidlren. There is also one called MOPS and that one costs money, but I don't know how much. I think the kids have to be walking, but I'm not too sure. Also check your local newspaper, check with the YMCA or local recreation centers for mommy groups that get together.

I started swimming lessons at the Y when my son was 6 months. When he was 1 year we started a free class at the library that was a music class (similar to gymboree but free) and it ran all winter long. He is shy and at first did not do well but then LOVED it. He still asks to go to class and it has been over for a few weeks.

This summer, my son is 21 months, I plan on doing the swimming again, and a dancing/work out ?/singing class (park district), and tumbling (YMCA). Not all at the same time but over the summer at different times.

Have fun!

We started each of my grandkids we are raising in "Buddy and Me" classes at our local Gymnastics/Dance studio at 18 months. K is now 6 and in Gymnastics, tap and ballet combo, and tumbling, she wants to add Hip Hop this fall...she may have to choose gymnastics or tumbling to add this one. J is 3 and old enough for a regular gym class this Fall but I don't think he is mentally ready to mind/follow instructions from a teacher. Kr, is 2 1/2 and she is in the same Buddy and Me class. The baby will be 18 months by Fall and we'll be adding him too. The pay scale for classes drop each time you add a child and I can only afford these classes because their dads are faithful to pay child support. My daughter has never paid us a dime.

We also do Soccer, and T-Ball for the 6 yr. old, and Micro Soccer for the 3 yr. old at the Y. We apply for scholorships at each organization and we receive either free enrollment or at least 50% off. We do service for the different organizations when they need anything. The 6yr. old also rides BMX on the weekends. Her bike was 2nd...well now that I think about it, actually 3rd hand, my friends husband took it apart and cleaned it and tightened allt he chains, brake cables, etc...to make sure it was ready for her. They also passed down their daughter's riding clothes that is just older the K . We only pay the weekly riding fee for either a ribbon or a trophy. If we budget out the money over 12 months we are paying less than $100 a month for all these activities. There are a lot but it's for 4-6 kids at any given time.

We started Kindermusik when my daughter was 9 months old. We are still going now two years later and will return after the summer for more.

Before that we did a Listening Mothers Group, which I believe is a local thing - a group of new moms getting together discussing issues and parenting approaches.

I like the company and my daughter has a few first friends in her music group now, it's really cute. The sessions come out to about $7-$10 per 45 min session.

For free groups in your area check meetup.com or start a playgroup there yourself...

Check out your local library. They usually offer mommy and me classes and they are free.

We started swim lessons at the YMCA when ours was 6 months, partly to get her used to the water, and partly to spend that time with her. She's now almost 3, and while she's no where near swimming on her own, she loves the water and loves going to weekly swim lessons.

If the prices are a deterrent, do your own mommmy and me activities - buy a baby massage book and take time each day to massage your little one. Or buy some musical instruments, and have a Sunday morning ritual of making loud music and prancing in a parade around the house - we used to do that and ours loved it!

Try the churches and libraries. There you will find alot of things going on. Check out your community centre as well. There are many places that have something functional going on for children at no cost to you.
Good luck!!