Enjoying some time with other parents and their little ones is helpful as you integrate into Monterey life. There are a variety of groups and classes to choose from both through the military and in the community.
Grace G. Maravilla, MSN, APRN, Board Certified-PMHNP who works with the Presidio New Parent Support Program says: “Parents can call with any questions, no matter how ridiculous they may think it sounds. There are no dumb questions with kids. I am here to listen first, and then counsel, advise, educate, and connect them to supportive resources in the community. I am not here to judge; they are the expert on their kid. Everything is confidential and it’s a voluntary program, no obligation to commit to anything.” Isn’t that exactly the kind of support new parents need?
Getting involved in one of these classes or programs can be helpful in acclimating to the community. Taylor Alexander with the New Parent Support Provider & Home Visitor programs says: “My goal is to empower expecting military families and parents with children aged three-years-old and under through personalized home visits, educational resources, and community events. I am committed to creating a supportive space where new parents can find the guidance and connection they may need, even while being away from their loved ones.”
As you get settled into your new home, consider participating in one or more of the following programs. You may just find kindred spirits or meet your baby’s birthday buddy, like I did!
PROGRAMS SPECIFICALLY FOR MILITARY
FLEET AND FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER NEW PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
- LOCATION: 336B Leahy Road, Monterey or home visits.
- FEE: Free for military families
- DESCRIPTION: Providing education, playgroups, and services for military families, as well as free home visits.
- FOR MORE INFO: Facebook.com/FFSCMonterey
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Tiny Tot Troop: Join other military parents with babies 0–18 months to share experiences and information and enjoy nursery rhymes and songs.
- SCHEDULE: Every first and third Wednesday from 10:00-11:00 am Join other military parents with their kids ages 0–4 years old for some fun playtime.
- Babygarten: Every second and fourth Wednesday from 10:00–11:00 am. Free personalized home visits are also offered for parents of children ages 0–3 years old.
- FOR MORE INFO: FFSCMonterey@nps.edu
KINDERJAM®
- LOCATION: La Mesa Community Center, 1200 Fechteler Drive, Monterey | Fort Ord Fitch Community Center Courtyard, 1225 Tunisia Road, Seaside
- FEE: Free for military families.
- SCHEDULE: Classes are held Tuesdays at 11:00 am and Thursdays at 11:00 am.
- DESCRIPTION: KinderJam® is an upbeat Music and Movement program. Classes support kinesthetic and tactile learning and are geared toward both parents and children.
- FOR MORE INFO: Registration is required by emailing registration@kinderjam.com
PRESIDIO NEW PARENT SUPPORT PROGRAM
- LOCATION: 4260 Gigling Road, Seaside, General Stilwell Community Center,
ACS Gold Room or home visits. - FEE: Free for military families with a child under 4 years old
- DESCRIPTION: Offering various gatherings and classes along with optional home visits from a nurse who is trained in lactation education counseling. Providing education, classes and services for military families with a child under 4 years old.
- FOR MORE INFO: Facebook.com/POMNewParentSupportProgram/
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Children & Parents Play Group: Every Tuesday from 9:30-10:30 am.
Move, sing, and read with your kids while meeting other parents. - Thriving Families Feed Your Mind Mornings: Webinars to help couples and parents increase resilience. Held every first Wednesday of the month from 9:00–10:00 am.
- Individualized home visits: target Parents as Teachers curriculum education and support, where recommendations for appropriate parenting techniques can be made based on a child’s developmental age. Available for parents of children ages 0–4 years old.
STROLLER WARRIORS MONTEREY
- LOCATION: Rotating locations between Pacific Grove and Marina.
- FEE: Free
- SCHEDULE: Twice weekly workouts on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 9:30 am
- DESCRIPTION: A military parents running group, but have no fear—you don’t have to run fast or at all (there are usually some walkers, too), you don’t have to have a kid (pregnant people often join), and you don’t have to have a stroller to join. After announcements and an approximately 40-minute jog at your own pace, there is usually a short group supplementary strength or flexibility workout.
- FOR MORE INFO: Facebook.com/groups/SWMonterey
PROGRAMS OPEN TO ALL
BIRTH NETWORK OF MONTEREY COUNTY
- FEE: Free, but registration is required for webinars. Several monthly events.
- DESCRIPTION: Virtual monthly birth and parenting education webinars and various other events.
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Parenting 101: Virtual webinars. Free, but registration is required. The second Tuesday of each month from 6:00–7:00 p.m. Learn from local experts about topics from sleep and soothing to infant growth and development.
- Monthly Maternal Wellness Group:
In-person at the Parent’s Place Library, 1025 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove. The first Thursday of each month from 10:00–11:30 am. Attendees discuss postpartum issues and support peers. - FOR MORE INFO: Birthnetworkofmonterey.com/parent-events
EARTH MILK MOON
- FEE: Various locations and costs
- DESCRIPTION: Holistic health and emotional support for mothers from trained doulas and lactation consultants, many with nursing and other advanced degrees.
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Prenatal/Postpartum Support Circle: Colton Hall Lawn, 570 Pacific Street, Monterey. Five dollars or pay-what-you-can. Registration is required. Every other week on Fridays from 12:00–1:30 pm. Outdoor support group for all pregnant and postpartum people and their babies.
- FOR MORE INFO: Earthmilkmoon.com/classes-courses
MOM WALK CO. OF MONTEREY COUNTY:
- LOCATION: Rotating locations between Monterey and Salinas. Free, but registration is required. About twice monthly.
- DESCRIPTION: Walking group open to all moms, meeting about twice a month at various spots, typically in Monterey or Salinas.
- FOR MORE INFO: Instagram.com/themomwalkco.montereycounty
OHANA
- LOCATION: 6 Lower Ragsdale Drive, Monterey.
- FEE: Free, but registration is required for the first attendance. Bring an ID to check in at the front desk.
- DESCRIPTION: Various online classes and weekly in-person or virtual groups with a mental health focus for all parents.
- FOR MORE INFO: Montagehealth.org/classes-events/ then select “Ohana”
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Mom’s Corner: Weekly Monday 9:30–11:00 am. meetup. For all new mothers of babies aged 0–18 months.
- Fathers’ Group for New and Expecting Dads: First and third Wednesday 5:30– 7:00 pm. meetup. For all fathers of babies aged 0–18 months. Casual support group led by licensed family and marriage therapists and clinical counselors who are also new fathers.
- Working Moms: Weekly Tuesday 12:00–1:00 pm. Zoom group. For moms who have returned to work to process balancing work and parenting.
- Serenity Now and Raising Resilient Babies: Varied schedules. For all parents and caregivers of those aged 0–2 years old.
PARENTING CONNECTION OF MONTEREY COUNTY
- LOCATION: Mostly in Salinas and South Monterey County.
- FEE: Free
- DESCRIPTION: Various groups, classes, and local resource referrals.
- FOR MORE INFO: ParentingconnectionMC.org
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
- Family Circles: Temple Beth El,
1212 Riker Street, Salinas. Free, but registration is required. Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10:00 am. Create community, onnect to local resources, play, and learn. - Family Circles: Salinas WIC, 632 East Alisal Street, Salinas. Free, but registration is required. Mondays from 11:00 am–1:00 pm.
PARENTS’ PLACE
- LOCATION: 1025 Lighthouse Avenue, Pacific Grove
- FEE: $60–$75 for every three months of weekly classes. Registration is required
- DESCRIPTION: Weekly daytime classes for parents through the Pacific Grove Adult Education Center. Meetings usually include songs, age-appropriate play, parent discussions, and chat time.
- FOR MORE INFO: Call (831) 646-6623 or email dpegis@pgusd.org
AVAILABLE CLASSES & GROUPS:
Age-based classes for parents and children aged 0–3 years old: Starts in the newborn phase, but you can join or stop anytime.
- Wee Chant with MaryLee: Songs for 0–1-year-olds.
- Tots in Motion: Physical activities and free exploration for little ones between crawling and two years old.
- Young at Art: Sensory art activities for 18-month–3-year-olds.
- Strengthening Your “Village”: Virtual
six-week class held in the evening to connect, share experiences, and offer and receive support for parents of 18-month-olds–
5-year-olds.
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