The Twin Cities' Best Resources For First-Time Moms Over 35
Amma Maternity
3511 Hazelton Road
Edina, MN 55435
(952) 926-BABY
www.ammamaternity.com
A full-service haven for expecting and new mothers, Amma Maternity in Edina offers everything from a well-stocked baby boutique to classes, events, workshops and playgroups. Prenatal and new parent classes include Breastfeeding Q & A, Infant and Child CPR, and Sign Language for You and Your Hearing Baby. A three-month membership for $30 entitles you to a 10 percent discount on all retail items, free drop-in play time, free Breastfeeding Q & A, free workshops, and 10 percent off prenatal classes and new parent programs. Hours: Monday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Tuesday through Thursday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Blooma
3919 44th Street
Edina, MN 55424
(952) 848-1111
968 Grand Avenue
St. Paul, MN 55105
(952) 848-1111
1455 St. Francis Avenue
Shakopee, Minn. 55379-3380
(952) 428-3000
www.blooma.com
A nurturing environment for the nurturers, Blooma is a combination mother's resource center/yoga studio that caters to mind, body and spirit. Check out a class in childbirth, childcare or self-care. Or take a yoga class – there are classes for expecting mothers, new mothers, mothers and their babies, and moms who just need some time to themselves. And don't worry – an on-site child care facility is available to alleviate separation anxiety. Wellness services are also available and include massage, acupuncture, and naturopathic medicine and holistic nutrition. Blooma helps mothers restore balance to lives that are anything but. Desk Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to noon and 4 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
FlowerPowerMom.com
Even if this site is about motherhood after 40, there's a wealth of useful information for youngsters in their mid-30s. From fertility tips to childrearing to an array of valuable links, this site offers a wealth of resources in an empathetic voice. Be sure to check out the "Momotov cocktail" page, which offers hints on surviving "midlife mom burnout."
Older Wiser Moms Meetup
This meetup.com group is for women in the Twin Cities who have had children in their 30s and 40s. Started by a 43-year-old mother of two, Olderwisermoms is a forum for mature mothers to meet other mothers of similar ages to share ideas, arrange meetings and schedule events.
Sittercity.com
When your usual babysitter isn't available, don't cancel your plans, head to Sittercity.com. It's just like Match.com … for moms! Enter your zip code, the type of service you're looking for (nannies, housekeepers, senior and pet care are also available), and voila! You've got options! Sittercity.com uses a four-step screening process – which includes background checks – so you'll see bios, photos, employer references and parent reviews on prospective providers. Make your selection and click. What could be simpler than that?