Texas

Thank God for TiVo, but did you know some theaters also have special showings for new parents? These showings have different names in different cities, but the idea that yours will not (most likely) be the loudest baby in the theatre is the common thread.

Julian’s first movie as a newborn was Closer and Holden’s was Star Wars Episode III. Both kids were frequent attendees of Baby Brigade during their first year.

Select theaters are participating in a program called Baby Pictures. Check the website to see if there is a baby movie showing in a city near you.

The Kerasotes chain in Illinois and IndianaMatinee Movie Magic. I thought I was pretty magical when I watched Julia Roberts in Closer while doing my first in public breastfeeding (without crying!) when Julian was 5 weeks old. This mistakenly led Heather, my 19-weeks pregnant escort, to believe that nursing is easy.

Stroller matinees are a good early outing for freaked out new parents. Crying is totally allowed.

In LA, Monday Morning Mommy Movies weekly at 11:00 am (on Mondays, duh!) at the Grove, Beach Cities, Paseo, and Town Square. Thanks Portia!

In Portland, McMenamin’s Kennedy School hosts the occasional Mommy Matinee and for cheap!

Austin, TX has Baby Day Movie at Alamo Draft House Cinema (Tuesday and Friday). Parents are allowed to bring infants into the movie for shows starting before 2:05 pm. (check website for movie times and location).

For our local mommies:

In El Cerrito, El Cerrito Speakeasy’s Baby Brigade shows movies on Tuesday nights for babies under one year (and their parents!) along with a pizza and beer.

In Alameda, the Central Cinema also has a baby night for those under a year. We found out about it just after both babies were too old to go - darn!

In San Francisco, realtor Jill Russo sponsors a monthly Mommy Movie on the second Thursday of each and every month. And it’s FREE!

My friend Samantha shares some of her favorite mom and baby activities in her hometown of Dallas, TX. She has two little ones now, so we should really listen to her:

Monday — The Dallas Arboretum
The Dallas Arboretum
Pack a lunch and head out to the arboretum for Mommy-and-Me Mondays. Typically the event includes the usual – face painting, petting zoo, music, strolling, picnicking. But autumn is extra special because so many things are going on. The Ultimate Tree House Exhibit is on display featuring 13 “extreme” tree houses that kids can stomp around in. The pumpkin patch and hay bale maze are perfect for Halloween and Fall pictures. Hay rides are offered daily. You’ll have a tough time figuring out where to picnic because there are so many nice areas to choose from. Consider buying an annual pass because it’s the type of place you’ll want to visit again and again.

Tuesday — Chic-fil-A @ Central Expressway & Southwestern
If you don’t have kids, don’t bother trying to go there. It is mommy and kid central. Husband working late or out of town? Drop in for a quick and cheap meal and let your kids play in the play area. It has a nice clean indoor play area enclosed with glass so you can watch what your kids are doing while you sit with your friends and chat. The staff circulates the restaurant offering refills and balloons. They even provide little servings of cheerios lest you forget your own!

[click to continue...]