Being pregnant, or having young children, away from family and friends can be tough, especially so if your friendship group doesn't consist of other parents(-to-be) or if you don't know many people in Berlin.
Never fear though, Berlin is full of many opportunities to get to know other mums (and dads), pretty much wherever you are. Here are my tips on how..
Never fear though, Berlin is full of many opportunities to get to know other mums (and dads), pretty much wherever you are. Here are my tips on how..
Online Community for International Parents in Berlin
Facebook is of course the first port of call for finding fellow tribe members, and for parents in Berlin, there's tonnes of pages.. try Expat Babies Berlin , Expat Kids Berlin, Berlin Expat Parents Meet Up and Expat Family Berlin for starters. There is also a rather fabulous page called Baby Buddies Berlin which has created a place where mums and expectant mums can offer and receive help, in addition to finding company and friendship in fellow international parents living in the city. Requests and offers of help range from just holding the newborn while you take that much needed shower, to hanging out on a buggy walk in the park or grabbing a carton of milk that you forgot at the shop. And, not to forget dad of course, he can try Expat Dads Berlin to link up and moan about not having boobs..or not..
Cooking Exchange
The international phenomenon Mamabake has reached Berlin in the form of Mamabake Berlin and its members regularly get together to share their big batch cooking. A great introduction to new foods, a way to meet other mums and lots of yummy food for you and the family.
Mums and Bumps
About: There are usually two weekly meetups arranged, one in the West and the other in the East to make it easier on tired pregnant legs and/or parents. The meetups are either inside or outside dependent on the weather and are promoted in their Facebook group linked in the 'more info' section below.
When: Fridays, times changeable.
Where: changeable locations
More info: here (join the FB group for updates of new meetups)
Expecting Moms Meet Up
About: This is on the Meet Up site, for international mums living in Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg (although I daresay they won't bar the door if you live in Neukolln..) They meet in the late afternoon for drinks and chat a lot. Perfect.
I am not sure how frequent they are, or where they meet, it seems a bit ad hoc, but worth looking here for more info.
Expat Parent-Toddler Playgroup
About: This weekly Wednesday meet for English speaking parents and little ones takes place at St Lukas Church near S Bahn Anhalter Bahnhof.
When: Wednesdays, 10am - 1pm
Where: St Lukas Church, Bernburger Str. 3-5, S-Anhalter Bahnhof
More info: here
Babies and Toddlers Playgroup Near Heerstraße
About: A weekly English speaking playgroup for parents with babies and toddlers offering drinks, toys and a good natter.
When: Mondays from 10am
Where: St. George's Church Hall, 17-19 Preussenallee, 14052 Berlin
More info: here
Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg Moms Meetup
About: This group of Mitte and Prenzlauer Berg mums/moms meetup every Monday at various locations around Berlin.
When: Mondays, 1 - 4pm
Where: Various locations
More info: here
Morning Meetup for Mums and Dads of Kids Below 18 Months
About: A weekly meetup for international mums and dads in Berlin or babies aged 18 months and younger at family cafe Kids Corner Schöneberg.
When: Thursdays from 11am
Where: Kids Corner, Apostel-Paulus-Str. 32, 10823 Berlin
More info: here
Mother-Toddler Playgroup
About: a weekly English-speaking meetup for expat mums/moms of toddlers at this indoor playground in Kreuzberg.
When: Wednesdays from 9am (till roughly 2pm)
Where: Winterspielplatz st Lucas Church, bernburger str. 3-5, 10963 Berlin
More info: here
Freelancing & Career-Changing Mums in Berlin
It seems that many of Berlin's expat mothers either choose or are forced to take a new career path, sometimes due to language or time restrictions and a multitude of other reasons. Melanie, a fellow expat parent & business consultant, runs an organisation offering career and business support Work Happy Mums linking with Mumpreneurs Germany, where she shares lots of useful links, tips and guidance for mums looking for a career change.
Are there any other great ways to meet fellow parents and expectant parents in Berlin that I've left out? If so, let me know and I'll check it out.
For ideas of what else to do with children in Berlin, check out my 'To Do in Berlin' section.
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