How to Thrive as a New Mom in NYC

by Lindsey Metselaar

Welcoming a child is the start of an extraordinary journey filled with wonder—and challenges. But you don’t have to navigate it alone. Here are five ways to embrace the magical adventure known as motherhood.

There’s no better place to be a mother than New York City. The ease of not having to get into a car with a car seat every time, the amazing parks and playgrounds every few blocks, and the surplus of people with strollers and social opportunities, it’s just incredible. My son was born in the wintertime, but I was still able to find great new mom friends and endless activities. I’m so excited to share some of the ways I navigated this new way of life with other moms and moms-to-be.

1. Take your kids to the park. You knew this one was coming, but it really is one of the easiest ways for babies to not only get the fresh air they need, but for the mom to sit and make some new friends. I met two of my close mom friends to this day by simply having kids of similar ages and running into each other in Madison Square Park. As your child gets older, there are more and more activities that the park has to offer.

2. Go to baby music classes. These classes are essentially the new Mommy and Me. You choose the class that works for your kid’s schedule and age group. If you’re a working mom, I’d suggest going to one of these while you’re still out on maternity leave so you have an opportunity to connect with other moms and then keep those relationships intact for when you go back to working again. Bonus points that babies love music!

3. Discover in-person mom meetups. If you don’t know about the mom groups around the city, it’s time to do some research. There are tons of groups like my “We Met at Baby” WhatsApp group, HRP mamas, Moms of the Upper East Side on Facebook, Mysha, and more. Find the group that works for you, and don’t be afraid to attend the meetups. You may meet some people you connect with—and possibly some you might want to avoid at all costs.

4. Dine out. Once you feel safe and comfortable going to restaurants with your baby, it’s the perfect conversation starter. My husband, Steven, and I have made so many friends by simply both having kids in high chairs at restaurants. There’s a camaraderie about seeing other parents dealing with the same meltdowns that you might be. Also, parents want to help each other out, and despite the rumors that NYC isn’t friendly, other parents are.

5. Create your village. This is crucial to raising a baby. It’s not a new phenomenon. Maybe you’re lucky that your village is all pro bono, and you have family and neighborhood friends around willing to help out. But the more likely situation is that you may need to find some paid childcare to give you time to yourself, especially if you have a full-time job. Having someone you trust look after your kid takes away tons of stress and allows you to be a more present parent.

Wherever you choose to be a mother, these ideas should help you to thrive and feel more confident. I run an Instagram account (@wemetatbaby) that also features events, like mom meetups year round in NYC, so make sure you’re following along. I also have a Substack where I talk about all things motherhood. For more relationship, parenting, and motherhood tips, you can also follow @wemetatacme on Instagram or listen to “We Met at Acme” wherever you find your podcasts.