I still remember the first time I heard about Marcaroni Kid, I was standing in the community room of my daughter’s preschool. We were planning a big fundraiser for the preschool, we were at the point where we were brainstorming ideas on how to get as many people possible to the event. One of the other moms said she would reach out to Macaroni Kid and ask them to include it on the calendar. I had no idea what Macaroni Kid was, I thought it was a consignment shop or maybe kid's play place. A few days later I was listening to other parents at the preschool talk and the name Macaroni Kid came up again. They were talking about an event they found out about on Macaroni Kid. I was still thinking that it was some place that everyone took their kids to. Because I was a new parent and was technically eavesdropping on their conversation, I never asked. Instead, I went home and looked it up on facebook. The first time I visited the Macaroni Kid website I remember thinking, "where was this 3 years ago."
When my daughter was born I left a career as an architect. I left a job that I spent over 50 hours a week at and I sat at home with a new baby. I had no idea what I was supposed to do with myself or this baby. There was plenty of things to do in the house but not a lot of interaction with other people. I felt like my only friend was Temperance Brennan from the TV show Bones. That is what I binge watched as I sat in my "nest" feeding and caring for my baby. I loved being a parent, I loved that my daughter needed me more than anything else in the world and I loved spending every minute of the day with her. But I was so lonely. I wished I knew of ways to connect with other parents and places we could go to meet new people.
Finally, when my daughter was about four months old I found a storytime that we went to religiously. She wasn't getting anything out of the storytime but I was getting to see other parents and talk to other adults. I remember feeling like it was a bit like dating. Instead of a bar, I was at the library. I was still trying to feel out other parents and nannies without coming on too strong or appearing too needy. I spent a lot of my time looking up storytimes, calling libraries and play spaces and finding things to do. Little did I know that Macaroni Kid had all the information for me, all I had to do was look at their calendar. When I finally found Macaroni Kid my world was open to so much more than I ever found on my own. There are events we found that first month of knowing about Macaroni Kid that my daughter still talks about.
Late last spring I found out that Macaroni Kid was looking for a new publisher for the Plymouth area. I needed this job. I am lucky that I don't need it for the money but I need it for the sense of purpose. My kids are getting older and they don't need me as much. But I am not ready yet to go back to working 50 hours a week. I think back to those lonely days on the couch. If I can help one parent not feel so alone and lost by giving them a list of things to do and places to go, I feel like my sense of purpose will grow beyond just the pile of laundry I have.
Right before Christmas my friend visited from New Jersey with her 3-month-old daughter. Talking to her I could see that she felt all the same things I did during the first few months of my daughter's life. I was so happy that when I went to Macaroni Kid and looked up her town I could show her all the amazing things that were happening in her area where she could meet other new parents. Making friends with other parents is hard, but just like that there are some apps that make dating easier, I hope in a little way Macaroni Kid can make parenting easier.
With the dawn of the New Year, I am even more committed to bringing you everything the area has to offer for families so that parents can connect and not feel so alone. If you know a new parent or a friend who doesn't yet know about Macaroni Kid be sure to share the link to our FREE Newsletter. Temperance Brennan is pretty cool but so is going to a storytime or playgroup with your child.
