Adventures in Gymboree Class

In life it's all about networking. As a new mom, I quickly learned that networking was not just a business skill. In the land of Mommy, it is what keeps you afloat. I fumbled, stumbled and tripped my way through my first year of motherhood. I searched for friendships, connection, mental stimulation and the feeling of belonging.

I enrolled in a Baby Gymboree class.

It was refreshing to sit in a circle with other mommies and their babies. We sang to our babies, gave them tummy time over a mirror ( seeing their reflection helps them push up), massaged them and mid class we answered an ice breaking question. This was my favorite part. It stimulated great conversation between women in the same place- the Newborn Fumble. Women existing on spurts of sleep and no connection to their previous lives. Women temporarily lost in the pea soup Newborn Haze. Unfortunately, the perky, well rested Gymboree teacher, who was following a script, usually rushed us through the delicious conversation. "Next class starts soon, so moving right along..." Ah, can you hear the audible snap of the cord of connection between women who so deparately needed it? After class, a few lingered. But, most rushed out to their cars allowing shyness to rule them. Hindsight being 20/20, I think many of them were afraid others would sense their desparation if they lingered too long. Others were happy to get home with a fussy baby. However, in the end, I never made a connection that extended beyond the Gymboree classroom. I continued on my quest. I signed up for Baby Sign Language.

http://www.gymboreeclasses.com/