Alameda is an island full of moms, dads and kids, right next to Oakland. My former co-worker Jen lives there with her husband and baby Rebecca. She tells us, “The island is very family friendly. Parking is easy, and a quarter will buy you a whole 30 minutes worth of it.”
Jen’s tip: If you are a new mom, definitely sign up with New Parent Support. Their old name was Smart Healthy Babies, and the website is not under their new name yet. They offer lactation consulting, moms groups, and other services for new parents, free of charge.
If Jen were not busy being a Vice President of International Marketing at a one thousand-employee company, how might she spend a week with Rebecca?
Monday: Explore Love Logic, a country club for kids. It is free for those who can not crawl. They have spaces for tummy time, and as children get older, they can enjoy dinosaurs, pretend play etc. It is a great place to meet other moms and other kids. They have a calendar of events such as Spanish time, storytime, dance time. They have Parent’s Night Out as well for members only. They are open 7 days a week until 8:30 pm. 2321 Santa Clara Avenue.
Tuesday: Stroll along Park Street. They are plenty of coffee places, a Books Inc., Lauren’s Closet which sells new and consigned baby clothes. They have a chair for breastfeeding too. Pippen Hill an upscale children’s store which has beautiful things. Then stroll to Julie’s to sit out back. It is a beautiful setting, lots of plants and room to spread out. The food menu is limited but quite tasty. Julie also features the works of local artists and offers baby yoga, sign up required.
There is also a farmer’s market Tuesdays from 9-1 pm on Webster and Taylor streets. Great to stroll and nosh as you go.
If you have energy in the evening, check out Central Cinema for Tuesday night’s baby-friendly showing. 7pm show, babies under 1 are free.
It’s time to make your own fun. Plan out your week and write up the schedule. Pick an activity and a time and tell everyone who might be available that they are welcome to join you. Be brave and invite folks you hardly know. Or send out an email with your whole week to get your friends excited about how much fun you are about to have over the next seven days.
Your baby has now been on the outside longer than she was on the inside… so it’s time to celebrate! 
Dress up your baby in the worst, ugliest gift outfit and invite over some other poorly dressed babies for a costume party and ugly-clothing contest. Dorky gifts, ratty hand-me-downs, and hopeless mismatches can finally have their day.
