Where do I find other parents with small children?
Albuquerque’s Great Connection Spots
(we are currently updating this information!)
General
1. Your childbirth classes, post-partum classes, baby massage classes, etc (see what Body, Mind & Spirit has to offer, or your hospital)
2. Check events calendar in NMKids magazine
3. Your church or synagogue
4. Albuquerque Zoo, Aquarium, Botanical Garden, Explora Museum (lots of kids events,
including a “toddler time”). Botanical Garden and Zoo have a summer evening concert
series filled with families and young children.
Parks (10-11:30am , 3-7pm):
*see listing or www.cabq.gov -> recreation
1. Summit Park (on Constitution, between Girard and Carlisle)
2. UNM duck pond
3. Fox Park - Marquette and Alvarado, south of Lomas
4. Arroyo del Oso - Wyoming and Spain
5. Loma Linda Community Center on Yale, south of Lead/Coal
Public Library Story Times:
*see listing or www.cabq.gov/library/
1. Main Library - Toddlers Thur. 10:30-11:00, Preschool Wed. 10:30-11:30
2. South Broadway - Baby & Me 2nd and 4th Thur 10:30, Preschool Wed. 10:30
3. Cherry Hill - Toddler and Preschool twice per week, see list
4. Ernie Pyle - outdoor storytime from May-August, 11:30am on Fridays
Other story times or family events:
1. Bound to be Read - Wednesdays, Preschool 10am (quite advanced), Sat. 11am all ages
2. Blue Dragon Coffee House - music in evenings beginning at 7pm
3. Art classes - all ages, Albuquerque Museum, every other Saturday $2
Existing Mothering/Parenting Networks or Agencies
1. Body, Mind & Spirit (232-2772) - classes and workshops for expectant parents and new families, including postpartum workshops and breastfeeding classes and a 2nd Nine Months Mom’s group the first friday of each month
2. La Leche League (821-2511) - breastfeeding support groups
3. Mothers of Preschoolers (MOPS): 9:30 am 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, Chelwood Christian Reformed Church, 2200 Chelwood Park N.E. ; 9:15 am 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Cross of Hope Lutheran Church, 6104 Taylor Ranch N…w, 897-0047; 9:15 am 2nd and 4th Tuesdays, First Baptist church, 101 Broadway N.E., 247-3611; 9 am 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, Grace Church, 6901 San Antonio N.E.. Speakers, crafts, discussion. *Please see NM Kids for most recent meeting information.
4 . MOMS (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) - Karel Kipp (332-7753) organizes groups for
mothers and children ($25 for 8 weeks with trained facilitator), various schedules.
5.Mom’s Club - Support groups for stay-at-home moms and dads. State Coordinator - Theresa Budzinski (505)922-2228, Asst. Regional Coordinator Melissa Poloni (623)934-0539. Specific groups for Taylor Ranch, NE Heights, Uptown, Paradise Hills, Rio Rancho and Santa Fe.
Support resources for Post-partum depression, anger-management and special problems:
1. Your pediatrician is a great starting point. Also a great place to meet parents. If you are
looking to meet people, ask the secretary, nurse or doctor if they know anyone who
might be looking to start a playgroup.
2. UNM Mental Health Crisis Line (Psychiatric Emergency Services - 24 hours a day, if you are in danger of hurting yourself or your baby) - 272-2920 (they serve UNM and the general community).
3. PB&J Family Service Inc., FREE support programs and family services in Bernalillo and
Sandoval counties. 877-7060, 867-2356.
4. Parentcraft (a division of Family and Children’s Services, Inc.) offers workshops, play groups, counseling and other services on a wide variety of parenting topics. They also provide weekly support/networking groups for parents of infants and toddlers. Counseling, classes and playgroups are on a sliding fee schedule. 243-2551.
5. New Mexico Parent and Child Resources Inc. Inclusive childcare center for children with special needs (Michael’s Place). Support services for parents with adopted or foster children. 268-4973.
6. Babynet - information and referral for pregnant women and families with children up to age 18. (800)552-8195. Affiliated with UNM Mental Health and the Center for Development and Disabilities.
7. All Faiths Receiving Home, Inc. “for parents who want to make their family environment less angry, frustrating or hurtful.” ; Parenting classes, life-skills classes, family group and individual therapy. 271-0329.
8. Parents for Behaviorally Different Children - Free advocacy group for families with behavioral, emotional challenges, including ADD, depression and other neurobiological illnesses. 265-0430; outside Albuquerque (800)273-7232.
9. UNM Women’s Resource Center - a referral service, they serve the UNM and general
community - 277-3716
10. New Mexico Pregnancy Confinement Line - telephone support for women confined to bed
during pregnancy - 768-9227 (pager).
11. YWCA/Carino - child-care resources and referral services - 265-8500.