Join a baby/child-friendly Book Group - Newcastle/ Gateshead!

[Laugs]

Hello! I've had this idea about forming a Baby Book Group in Newcastle/ Gateshead.

Basically it would be like a normal book group, where once a month you meet up to discuss a chosen book, but we could bring our babies/ children and discuss them too, if we feel like it. Or just fill our sleep-deprived bodies with coffee and remember the days when we had time to read books and have grown up conversations.

Would anyone else fancy this?

I have a 3 year-old and a 3 day-old. If everyone else had babies, I can appreciate it might be easier to do it when the 3 year-old is in nursery (mornings), but if others have older children too then we could make it the more the merrier and hope we get a word in edgeways. I guess we'd meet at each other's houses or somewhere central in Newcastle/ Gateshead.

(I've also posted about this on the Netmums Meet-a-Mum boards for Newcastle and Gateshead, if anyone goes on there.)

Hi, I might be interested, might help me make reading a priority again! I have a six year old at school and a two year old.

Aaaah, book loving - check, in Newcastle - check, baby - no, mine grew up (and they keep doing it, the little blighters)! Darn!

What a good idea tho, I would have loved this when I was on mat leave.

I would love to do this. I've got a three year old and I'm due this month so something in the New Year would be good for me.

I don't really visit the other side so post on here too if you get more interest.

I'm so pleased people like the idea!

I'm not quite sure how we'd do it. Do you think you'd prefer to meet at each other's houses or somewhere in town? My flat is pretty small, so it may have to be a bijou book group... A place like the Laing Gallery might work as any toddlers could let off a bit of steam in the Under Fives room then we could go for a coffee and the book club bit.

Stickylittlefingers, I'm sure you'd be welcome to come without a baby if you fancied it and were around during the day. We wouldn't hold it against you!

No interest from Netmums yet.

Anyone else interested here?

hi - if you were meeting somewhere like the Laing and around about lunchtime I would certainly be interested, tho I'm not sure would it get very busy then, i.e. just the time everyone else would be wanting to avoid?

If nothing else I would be happy to get some baby cuddling time while the poor mothers get to eat and drink in peace for once!!

Ooh, I am very interested! Count me (and my 2.9 year old and Newborn) in! I'm having a break from my literature degree to spend time with the kids, so sounds ideal. I live in washington, but I can grab the pram and sling and jump on the bus/metro to anywhere reasonably easy to get to.

I would be willing to offer my house, but, being in washington, it is probably awkward for people...might be worth keeping as a back up though. I don't fancy trying to get into town any time before Christmas with both kids!

Sorry I went AWOL from this thread. I've had lots of sleepless nights with newborn baby. Eight people from Netmums (some of whom might be you?) have said they're interested, so I think that's definitely enough to form a group. I'm going to look into potential venues in town.

Hi,

Can I join in in feb !

I am due on sun and my midwife has been off sick loads this pregnancy so they forgot to offer me the ante-natal classes so I have no new mummy friends this time round lol x

The new libray is a good space if you have n
ot found a suitable venue yet. x

Is there any more news on this idea? I think it's a really good one. I'm not due until the end of March but would definitely be interested in joining.

I would be interested in joining with my nearly 2 year old but work 4 days so could only do a Friday. Anywhere easy to get to on public transport or easy to park outside would suit us.

Hi,

Just to keep you updated, I had a meeting last week with New Writing North, who run lots of book groups in the North East. They've offered to provide a facilitator for a pilot book group, which will hopefully be in March (16th March is the provisional date). This means at least one of us will have read the book and be able to talk about it eloquently, even if the rest are surviving on 3 hours' sleep and a caffeine habit.

We've also discussed possible venues and think the Sage might be quite good as it's accessible by public transport and has a car park.

As the meeting will be a pilot, we can also use it to meet up and decide what we want from the group, whether the place and time works for everyone and what kind of books we want to read.

Sounds good to me, really looking forward to it (and finding out what the book is).

Thanks for your hard work in sorting this out Laugs.

That sounds great Laugs! Looking forward to it.

One idea for the first book is The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer. It's quite a cosy book, perfect for curling up with on these winter afternoons while the baby naps () and should hopefully offer up plenty of topics for discussion. And it's a pretty quick read, since we're all short on time!

When we meet up we can decide what kind of things we want to read in the future - does that sound ok?

I'll come back with details as soon as I have them, but I think I should set up a Facebook group as well. (You don't have to say your MN name if you'd prefer to stay anonymous)

Oh, and opalfruity you should definitely come even if your baby is not born yet. The idea for the group was partly because I thought I'd feel too fuzzy-brained to join a normal book group, so I wanted to be around people who would understand and give me a bit more slack - heavily pregnant definitely fits into that category too

Haha, if my brain capacity at present is anything to go by then I would definitely have to agree with you!

Marking my place

Hi, I'm new to mumsnet and I used to be part of a book club but since having my little one I haven't had time to read!! I would love to come.

I'd love to join, I'll be bringing my 14 month old. Can't do Thursday afternoons but am free most of the other time.

I need to get my brain orking again after doing nothing much except the school run and cleaning the house for the past 18 months.

Laugs - You have me on fb, so please invite me to any group, I will try and keep an eye on here but I miss stuff on here often

Hello all - I've just been wondering if any MNs meet up in the Newcastle/Northumberland area, and stumbled upon this thread. I'm very interested in joining a book club. I'll check back here. I'm not on Facebook though. I'm expecting first baby in 5 weeks' time, and feeling a bit isolated now not at work!

Hi,

The group is going ahead! Here are the details for the first meeting:

The New Parents' Book Group Date: Tuesday 16th March, 1.30pm
Venue: The Sage Gateshead, to the side of the cafe area where the comfy seats are
Book: The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer

There are plenty of copies in Newcastle City Library and in Blackwells, where you can get £2 off if you mention the group.

The Sage has loads of space for prams and baby-changing facilities. If anyone's bringing older babies/ toddlers who might need some entertaining while we chat, I can bring a pile of books, paper and crayons?

Please also tell anyone else you know who might be interested in joining.

There is a Facebook group you can join too, look for 'New Parents' Book Group'

Fab Laugs, I've joined the FB group and will see everyone there!

Yay, we have members!

I'd like to join too please. I will still be pregnant by 16th March, so won't have a baby with me as my DD will be at nursery.

Yes, come and put your feet up and share late pregnancy woes discuss the book

When are you due?