For someone who practically refuses to cross the “mountain” (Mont Royal for any non locals…) for any reason, including, but not limited to: brunch with friends, a shop that sells something I desperately want, or a show I’ve wanted to see, I have found myself driving over to the Plateau and Rosemont/La Petite Patrie quite often lately.

It appears there is either an increase of people who suddenly want a doula or private prenatal classes living there, or there is a growing number of families moving into the area. I can’t tell you how many times I have driven up and down Avenue Christophe-Colomb over the last couple of months.

The neighborhoods are classic Montreal, with the outdoor staircases leading into duplexes or triplexes with the dépanneurs or café/bars on almost every corner. It feels a little too crowded for this NDG girl, but you can definitely feel the buzz our city is known for when you’re there.

The problem: there’s almost nothing for new parents or parents to be! There are a couple of cafes targeting new families, La Tasse Gamine, which has been around for as long as I can remember and Village Cafe, although last I heard there were rumors of being sold or closed. If the families living in this area are anything like mine, they don’t want to travel across the city just to find a place to hang out with their babies or kids.

Sometimes you just have to create your own community. As a mom who felt a strong urge to get out there and meet other moms and find ways to fill my time, I somehow find myself playing matchmaker for other new moms. At my Pregnancy Discussion Group friendships are forged and phone numbers exchanged. I love it.

So, here’s my proposition to you, pregnant or new moms in the plateau and Rosemont/ La Petite Patrie: send me an e-mail letting me know if you want to be connected with a group of other new moms living in your area and I will play matchmaker for you. Or, if you’re brave enough to make the trek (it’s really not that far, who are we kidding) come to one of my discussion groups- the next one is this Monday, October 26th at 6:30pm at Melons et Clementines (my favorite hangout in the city).

Or, try one of these new apps or sites for meeting up with other new moms (it’s like Tinder, but for moms…!)

Hello Mamas

MomCo

Are you local and have a great resource to share? A place or activity that you’ve found in your neighborhood? Share it in the comments!