How to Become a Thriving Member of Niche November 30, 2007
5 Steps to becoming a thriving member of NICHE
1. Attend park days! I know, I know! Neither you nor your kids are great at making friends in large groups…And all the kids already know each other so your kiddo feels left out. So, don’t plan to make friends. If you make friends, GREAT! But really the goal today is to find kiddos who have something in common with your kids. You are here to scope out the joint! Then, move to step number 2.
2. Schedule private playdates with any family who seems remotely compatible with you and your family. Start out with one family at a time. These gatherings are definitely most effective at home. If you meet at a park or other location, then the kids have too many opportunities to NOT play together. Lock them in a small house with no other children and force them to become acquainted! 
3. Once your kiddo has begun to know some children (and you some grown-ups) plan a small event. Perhaps a larger playdate at your house or at a small quiet park. Schedule a craft day or a game day with your new found friends.
4. Attend park days…but this time confirm that all your new friends will be coming too! That way, your kiddos will have friends attending.
5 Look out for new families who look lost. Now, you’re an established member of the group with a great gang of friends, it’s time to help those new faces acclimate. Invite them over for a playdate. . Lather, rinse, repeat! Repeat! REPEAT!
If your family isn’t a fit, then help them find other families who may be. We are all in this together. By supporting the community, we all benefit.
ONE MORE VITAL STEP!
So, steps 1 - 5 are about acclimating your kiddos to the group… Now it’s your turn. Come play at mom’s night out! Attendance is mandatory, required and a “must do”. Alright, not really, but we’d love to see you there! It’s a great place to meet in a small intimate setting without the bustle of playing children. And also a great place to scope out families who may be compatible with yours.
Planning activities: Plan activities that your child would enjoy and the children who attend will likely have something in common with your child. Attendance at activities is largely based on date, time, location and interest in the activity. If you don’t have good attendance at your first activity, assume that the one of those just didn’t work for folks! It happens to the best of us. Keep trying and don’t take it personally.
Here’s a warning, if you ask what date and time works for people, you will get 1,000,000 and 1 answers. Choose a date far enough in advance that people’s calendars are quiet, then choose a date and time that works for you. Check the NICHE calendar to make sure that there aren’t conflicting events that would draw you desired audience. Then, post your event to the calendar with reminders. Discuss your activity on NICHE. As the event comes closer, discuss it again.
Some activities that have been hosted in the past
1 play date
2. Park day
3 pool
4 museum
5 play date (this is a biggie)
6 candy tour
7 talk by parks and rec department
8 playdate
9 family member’s work
10 grocery store tour
11 play date (did I already say that?)
12 craft day
13 cooking/baking day
14 sledding
15 hiking
16 play date (I think that I forgot to mention that one earlier)
Some activities that you could host… The sky is the limit!!!
Now, go forth and THRIVE!
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