What to do for a first time “Moms Night Out?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. For context, this is with a new church we’ve been attending, which is the reason for the wide age range. I’ve been going to church activities, but honestly, it’s mostly been with senior citizens who show up so I thought I’d try to initiate with a slightly younger group.

Are you the poster from Missouri or something?

If you are just wanted to say I'm really proud of you for trying something and setting not up.

Seriously good for you!

I grew up in church and I remember my mom hosting bible studies. I think they'd all read the same book and talk about. There's was definitely foid because we'd get to have the left over snacks. They'd do crafts too.
And I think sometimes would meet up different places just depended on what they were into.
I hope this works out for you!

[Anonymous]

OP here. Thanks for the ideas! I like the thought of doing something activity-based since the kids will not necessarily be in the same age group. We could probably do something at church but I feel like people might be more open in a different setting? I understand those who are suggesting a ladies night, but I'm afraid that will attract the same people that go to the current slate of church activities.

[Anonymous]

What about bowling? That way nobody has to host but you’re not stuck sitting next to the same people all evening.

[Anonymous]

Bunco maybe? It’s good because everyone rotates to different tables, so it’s easy to meet and talk with others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. For context, this is with a new church we’ve been attending, which is the reason for the wide age range. I’ve been going to church activities, but honestly, it’s mostly been with senior citizens who show up so I thought I’d try to initiate with a slightly younger group.

Do you have the option to use the church facilities? The space can work well for a baking project or game night. Maybe a service project for a charity. A fire pit.

NP but that sounds boring. I would not attend anything like that, I would prefer a coffee or happy hour.

[Anonymous]

Cocaine is always good.

[Anonymous]

Those church women need alcohol. Go to a happy hour.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I go to two moms nights out a month.
One with school moms and one with moms I met when in a moms group when DD was a toddler.
We always do a restaurant.
I’m not sure I would want to go if I didn’t know the other moms though and our kids are different ages. What is the goal of this get together?

Same and we meet up at 8pm.

[Anonymous]

My church started a Ladies Who Latte and Ladies Who Lunch groups in the last six months or so, with the express purpose of connecting with more women. The lunch is after church the first Sunday of the month at a different restaurant each time. A lot of times we’ll do an icebreaker as what’s your favorite dessert, favorite movie, or how your parents picked your name or how you picked your kid’s names. Sometimes we get one or two large tables, or there times we divide into tables of 4-6. Lattes meet one Tuesday evening a month from 7-8 but anyone who wants to stay later does.

We really have been getting to know each other and bonding better. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

I really prefer get togethers at someone’s house over a restaurant. It’s just easier to chat with lots of people in a home rather than being at a long table at a restaurant where you’re stuck next to the people immediately surrounding you. It can also get awkward when you’re splitting the bill if some people drink expensive drinks and others don’t, or people have different budgets or order different amounts.

I do a lot of moms’ nights (we have elementary aged kids) where we rotate hosting and usually start around 8 pm. The host will serve some apps and guests usually offer to bring wine, desserts, veggie platters, dips, etc. Or sometimes we’ll hang outside around a fire pit when the weather is nice.

But you’ve got to have people willing to host and I think if it gets over ~12 people it starts to become overwhelming. This also works best when everyone lives fairly close by, especially when you can all walk to each others’ homes or quick Uber ride.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to do happy hours. Just be aware that a lot of women aren’t gonna be able to do this because their husbands don’t know how to care for their own children in the evening.

That's a gross attitude.

I would probably decline this because I don't want to be away from my young kids to meet a bunch of random moms I don't know.

Has nothing to do with my husband - he is perfectly capable for work and social events I want to attend.

[Anonymous]

OP, you are really sweet for planning this. I bet a lot of moms would love to get together!

Here are ones I’ve been to or hosted that were fun-

Coffee meetup mid morning, at a cafe with big long tables so you can have 10 people or so.

An activity out at night, like bowling, painting, or axe throwing (did that recently & it was fun, something everyone was a novice at so everyone was laughing)

At your home, a nice nite in. We’ve done recipe swap - so everyone (who wants to) brings an app or a dessert, & copies of the recipe. Host provides drinks. It gives everyone something to chat about as an icebreaker, can also do a ballot box with voting for best app & best dessert, & a little prize for the winners.

Holidays are coming up, so a cookie swap is fun, make 1-2 dozen of your fave cookies & then everyone makes a plate of different cookies to bring home. Or a little craft to make an easy ornament, Pinterest has so many cute ideas- so you can do a little ornament as an ice breaker, and then everyone can just hang out after & chat.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I used to do happy hours. Just be aware that a lot of women aren’t gonna be able to do this because their husbands don’t know how to care for their own children in the evening.

Oh horseshit

[Anonymous]

Get drunk and enjoy the freedom.

Lucky women tend to bound quickly - so add a few drinks and soon everyone will be talking about what a pain their DH's are or the color of their kids poop

[Anonymous]

PP - & I think it’s fine to have moms of different ages. I like hearing from my friends who are ahead of me & their advice about teen issues, driving, college apps, etc. And I like talking to younger moms, we can bond over teachers their kids have now that my kids had, activities their kids are doing, etc.