In my work as a Realtor® in Petaluma, CA, I hold open houses almost every Sunday. It is a wonderful way
to meet prospective clients and an opportunity to help them decide if Petaluma, among their many Bay Area choices, fits their needs.
Frequently, young families will come through, scoping out homes and the town, with children in tow--strapped to their parents' chests in their Ergos and Bjorns, or toddling through, enticed by a tall carpeted staircase or a full-length mirror. When these families ask questions about the community, I am sure to make mention of The Petaluma Mothers' Club. This is the organization that greatly enhanced my Petaluma experience.
When I moved to Petaluma from San Francisco in 2004, meeting people and making friends outside of work was a challenge. I spent a lot of time driving back and forth to San Francisco and even went so far as to convince one of my good friends and her husband to buy a home here in 2006. I was working and living in Petaluma but most of my social life still required that my friends or I make a forty mile commute to see each other.
I quickly fell in love with this quasi-metropolitan, historic river town. But it wasn't until after the birth of my daughter that my Petaluma social connectedness began.
I joined The Petaluma Mothers' Club in April of 2009, when my daughter was six months old. Founded in 1992, the club provides support, education, friendship and community for mothers from pregnancy through their child's age of five.
My priority in joining was getting out of the house and meeting other moms with children my daughter's age. Within a week of mailing in my application, I received a phone call from the playgroup coordinator who gave me contact info for three different age-appropriate playgroups. The following week, I joined a Tuesday walking group and a Friday playgroup.
Today, almost a year and a half into my membership, not only have my daughter and I forged strong friendships but my husband has also found himself a circle of dads that he enjoys. My involvement quickly extended beyond Club functions to everyday fun with good friends. We cheer on each other's successes and provide support of many kinds through personal difficulties.
In my role as a Realtor®, I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to promote the town that I love. It's easy to be excited about something you believe in. The Petaluma Mothers' Club is a wonderful welcoming committee for young families moving to Petaluma, CA.
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