Best Places To Make Friends With New Parents In Houston

The transition from child-free to new parent is a challenging one, and it can be especially hard if you try to do it all on your own. Even if you’ve got a spouse or partner on board to help, at some point you’re going to need some reinforcements. The best places to make friends with new parents in Houston will help you get in touch with people that can empathize with your situation, share helpful tips and maybe even facilitate play dates. — Amber Hilton

The Motherhood Center

3701 West Alabama, Suite 230
Houston, TX 77027
(713) 963-8880
www.motherhoodcenter.com

The Motherhood Center offers a variety of services for new and expecting parents, including yoga and fitness classes, babysitting services, a photography studio and even a nanny placement agency. Certainly the Motherhood Center is a great resource for any new parent, but thanks to all the classes and events hosted here, it is also a great place to make friends with new parents in Houston. Some of the parenting classes offered here include Infant, Child and Adult CPR; Parent-Infant Massage; and Newborn Child Care for Twins/Multiples. You might also benefit from the support groups, fitness classes or complimentary classes, in which you can certainly meet some friendly new or expecting parents. Despite the name, this is not a women’s-only facility – dads and grandparents are warmly welcomed here as well.

Parent Resource Library

The Children’s Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 535-7264
www.cmhouston.org/library

Located within the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Parent Resource Library is a unique resource center that houses the answers to many of your pressing parenting questions and concerns. If you have potty-training problems or discipline dilemmas, this is the place to go. The first library of its kind in the nation, this venue draws nearly 1,000 visitors a week, including many new parents. You can look through the resources, check out books or print out Internet resources all in the comfort of this cutting-edge facility. Of course, children are always welcome, and there are educational toys available for them to play with. Because the Parent Resource Library represents a collaboration of the museum and the Houston Public Library, you’ll need a library card from the latter to check out materials. Hours: Tuesday and Wednesday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Thursday, 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.

ESCAPE Family Resource Center

3210 Eastside
Houston, TX 77098
(713) 942-9500
www.learntoparent.org

The ESCAPE Family Resource Center offers a variety of classes for new parents and caregivers in Houston. The goal of this program is to prevent adverse childhood experiences like child abuse, neglect and household dysfunction, and promote harmonious, loving home environments. Some of the classes currently offered include Building New Beginnings, The First Five, Dads Count, Empowered for Motherhood and Exceptional Parenting. Classes are offered at the facility site in central Houston, as well at 70 locations around the city. Classes are available at low or no cost thanks to various supporters, and they are offered in English, Chinese and Spanish. Hours: Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.