Family Socials a Friendly way to Get Ready for School and Stay in Touch!

Each town recreation group and school and daycare outfit could promote family socials to help parents meet each other before school and daycare begins as well as seasonally to welcome newcomers and help everybuddy keep in touch. There are basic helpful tips to know, like who is one's class and where people live or at least their e-mails for keeping up on school and town events, parent and youth programs and social gatherings.

(Maybe that last one is the Most Important.) While kids may get jitters about going off to a new school or on to the next grade, so can parents. Why not make the introductions early and let people network over the summer with play time at local swimming areas or playgrounds when lifeguards are on duty. Other events such as public concerts or library events (or just meeting there informally) could be a wonderful way to help children see that adults know how to form a group dynamic that is positive and respectful in nature.

Times for Moms and for Dads could be held a little separately from the main event to help them meet and allow people who may not be able to attend the same event a chance to be involved. Add your ideas or what has worked for you. Keeping things in a public place initially can help everyone feel at ease. When visiting at another's home, being clear about safety guidelines (sober, no guns unlocked, good adult supervision of children especially outdoors or near roads or at a busy place,etc) could be agreed to by the group. Rides and so forth could maybe be set up to help people who may need that or want to carpool, etc. Again, everyone should have insurance and a safe car and driving record.

Thanks for sharing with your local school and town to get the ball rolling toward having a friendly class and community dynamic that can be a benefit to all involved. While it's tempting to share life stories upon meeting people maybe wait a bit to see what people are comfortable with and keep school-related issues as the main focus, much as students in school need to when in class.

Maybe some parents are counselors or can be contacted if parents need extra support or would like to let the group know of a family situation (new child, moving, new job, need for help, etc). Finding ways to help people share their concerns or needs could be done with a sense of looking at a problem but not disclosing names and such. More tips for parenting in safe, respectful ways could be promoted voluntarily (even on this site). Thanks for doing what you can to welcome people into your school or town with a sense of teamwork and positive thinking.  Let us know how things are working out.