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Meet-ups

When meeting up take sensible precautions. Meet in a public place and let others know where you are going.

Original poster

Croydon area mums to be?

24 replies

Woodelf · 16/03/2005 11:03

Just starting early, putting out for contacts in and around the Croydon area. I am still only 10wks pregnant but am to be an 'older mum' and don't know nearly enough about raising a wee one although I'm learning a lot from this site. Currently working full time but this will end once the baby woodelf is born and I go back to being self employed! Looking for friends at all stages of mumhood locally as I think with no family around I'm going to feel VERY ALONE at home!

Thanks

Woodelf

OP posts:
ladymuck · 16/03/2005 11:33

Would highly recommend NCT classes as a good way of meeting up with mums. The local HVs also tend to run post-natal classes around 12w post-birth from mums with babes the same age. There's always the highly irregular Croydon Mumsnet meetups - most of us have children already.

From memory you need to book the NCT classes early.

Original poster
Woodelf · 19/03/2005 19:36

Thanks ladymuck! Will get signed up after my scans and look forward to meeting everyone!

OP posts:
Verso · 20/03/2005 21:45

Hi there! I'm in Streatham, so not that far away, although I'm currently 37 weeks, so a bit further on than you. I left it too late (this was about 14 weeks) to get into local NCT classes . The NHS ones were ok, but there wasn't any opportunity for socialising really, so I'd love to be in touch with some local Mums and Mums-to-be!

Oh and I might count as 'older' too - but I'm not sure what the cut-off age for that is . I'm 34 - will be 35 in the summer.

serenity · 20/03/2005 23:47

Hi Verso, whereabouts in Streaham are you? I live up near the Common, but I am a whole year younger than you so might not count as an 'older' Mum

SoupDragon · 21/03/2005 08:22

I'd recommend booking NCT classes early. Do you have the phone number?

Whereabouts in Croydon are you? I'm a South Croydon already-a-mum-to-2-monsters.

Verso · 21/03/2005 08:56

Hi there, Serenity! I'm near Streatham Hill station, so the opposite end to you. Not sure if I can talk to you, though, seeing as you're such a youngster!

Do you already have children, or are you pg at the moment? (Or indeed, both?!)

Original poster
Woodelf · 21/03/2005 16:30

Just checked in again and lovely to see responses! Verso & Serenity, Streatham is a bit far from me but it looks like you two should meet up! SoupDragon, I am pretty much central in Croydon, near Purley way and high street. Popped into mothercare today and got v scared by the range of prams and expense! Also can't seem to get maternity trousers that are extra long, my legs didn't shrink just because I got pg , and it ain't funny being a size 12 when the shops don't have them in!

OP posts:
SoupDragon · 21/03/2005 16:45

Nope. You're stuffed when it comes to maternity trousers. Blooming marvellous and/or JoJo Maman Bebe had a small number in longer length. I actually made myself a pair of jeans by cutting the front out of an ordinary pair and adding a jersy panel. - I was that desperate!

Kelly1978 · 21/03/2005 17:44

Welocme Woodelf,

I'm in Croydon too. I live 2 mins from West Croydon station, have 2yo ds and 4yo dd and booked in for a section wed to have twins. I'd be up for a meet up once I've recovered. I only moved here last year, so don't have a huge amount of friends locally.

Don't Next maternity trousers come in a longer length? I'm not sure, I've been living in dungarees, and past caring that I'm flashing a couple of inches of ankle!

serenity · 21/03/2005 19:29

No. not pg although did ring DH up yesterday in a very broody mood (went to visit my 2 day old nephew ). I've got 3 already, I think thats going to be it now!

A meetup for this area would be good, but we don't seem to be very organised at it (see the Godstone Farm thread!) There isn't really any natural meeting points in Streatham!?

serenity · 21/03/2005 19:30

No. not pg although did ring DH up yesterday in a very broody mood (went to visit my 2 day old nephew ). I've got 3 already, I think thats going to be it now!

A meetup for this area would be good, but we don't seem to be very organised at it (see the Godstone Farm thread!) There isn't really any natural meeting points in Streatham!?

serenity · 21/03/2005 19:30

Oooops.

Verso · 22/03/2005 07:15

I know what you mean about the lack of meeting points here, serenity. Streatham is kind-of long and thin (with the gorgeous high street as the only landmark... hmm). There is a nice cafe partway along, though. Do you know it? Just up from the new Nando's.

How do you manage logistically with getting three children out of the house, btw? My mind boggles at the thought of managing even one, as all this is new to me!

Theoretically (!), I'm not averse to going to West Croydon... I know it's further away, but I can get a direct train, so it's a possibility. Something to think about in a few weeks, maybe, once I've had this baby? (I've only just finished work so I'm enjoying relaxing at home for now - ie being v lazy . I've also got SPD which means walking is rather uncomfortable at the moment.)

Oh, and I know the Purley Way quite well as DH works in Purley so we have a tendency to get our groceries from the big Sainsburys over that way (ooh, the glamour)...

decisions, decisions!

Verso · 22/03/2005 07:19

Kelly - Doh! I've just put two-and-two together and realised you're the same Kelly as the one on the due in April board! How dim am I?! Please please don't answer that . Best of luck for tomorrow!

Kelly1978 · 22/03/2005 11:35

@ Verso, I won't say a word!

Should def do a meet up sometime, once the babies are born, tho I have no idea how I'm going to get out of the house yet!!

I'm racking my brains trying to think of meet up spots around here. I've done Playtown before which isn't too bad, although it's the other sie of Croydon town center. The Gypsy Moth pub on Purley way has a soft play area which might be nice - the pub is, but I've never tried the play area. I'm sure there are plenty of other places too.

SoupDragon · 22/03/2005 12:26

Gypsy Moth play area isn't as nice at Play Town. Ikea is good for meetups because they do free coffee refils and you can either leave your chilren in the play area (over 3s) of plonk them in the cafe play area to watch a film.

Ahem, or so I'm told. Never done it myself, obviously....

SoupDragon · 22/03/2005 12:26

isn't as nice as Playtown.

serenity · 22/03/2005 16:46

IKEA is a good meetup place, particulary when you do the school run. I go there with DD for the £1 breakfast quite a lot, and there are always loads of mums and toddlers/babies there. The restaurant opens before the store so I go straight from school, get there about 9.15 and let DD run around in the outside playground until they let us in at 9.30.

My problem is that I then end up wandering around afterwards spending more money, even more tempting as I get staff discount...

Nandos in Streatham is open now then? I'll have to wander up and have a look, which cafe is good up there? I rarely shop further up than Woolworths. It's too easy with the car to jump in and pop up to Croydon, I should walk around the High Street more.

SoupDragon · 22/03/2005 17:06

I had no idea the restaurant opened before the store!

Now, that staff discount... would you like to be my new best friend?

Verso · 22/03/2005 17:16

Staff discount - ooh, you're going to be VERY popular!

The cafe I meant is on the opposite side to Woolworths... doesn't look like much from the outside but they're very friendly and do nice food like omelettes, pasta, focaccia, lemon tart etc. Only downside is that in the colder months they don't put their air conditioning on so it can get a bit smoky, but otherwise it's fine. (I never used to notice when I smoked myself but since giving up I really don't like my hair and clothes smelling of smoke!!)

We only have the one car and DH takes it to work with him (I get the train to my work), which might make meeting at IKEA tricky for me... unless it was during summer holidays (DH is a teacher) and I could get him to drop me off?

serenity · 22/03/2005 19:42

If we ever do an early morning IKEA breakfast meetup (or whatever!) I am more than happy to come and get you It's only me and DD when DSs are in school.

Now all we need is someone organised to arrange something.....

Verso · 26/03/2005 12:07

Notice how we all disappear as soon as we are required to actually organise anything?!

I've just been to IKEA, as it happens. We decided to get some garden chairs, given the nice weather (I reckon about a million other people will have the same idea later today too). Now we just need to get them assembled... and hope the weather holds.

Anyway - no rush on the organising front, as I'm not likely to be going out and about on my own much over the next few weeks... 38weeks, 1 day, and counting!

Original poster
Woodelf · 26/03/2005 17:51

Hi kelly1978. Unfortunately since my last post have had miscarriage, so no longer pg. Will be trying again though!

OP posts:
Verso · 27/03/2005 21:23

Woodelf I'm so sorry to hear that

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