Subtext is important

Today I did something out of the ordinary: I went on my trial run of the local "MOM's" club by joining them for a group workout in the form of a walk. I had met someone at toddler story time who told me about this club and I thought it sounded interesting enough to check out. Luckily, they let me try an event before I had to decide to join.

All clubs should have pillow forts

I enjoy a good walk and I thought picking this option would be the best option for meeting like-minded other moms. I wasn't able to bring Peanut because I emailed the event coordinator to ask permission and she never responded. Without knowing for sure than no one was terrified of dogs and/or allergic, I left her at home. It was a chilly, yet humid morning, so only 2 other women showed up for the walk. I asked them to tell me about the club and spent most of the two hour (yes, seriously) walk listening for what they weren't saying.

Actual statement: You can go to as many or as few events as you like!

Subtext: We are going to discuss mutual friends we have in the club and give you the impression that everyone attends at least one or two events a week.

Actual statement: When you have your baby, people will bring you meals!

Subtext: Whenever someone in the club has a baby, we expect you to make and deliver a meal.

Actual statement: If you do a playgroup, then you are put on a rotating roster for hosting!

Subtext: Not only are strangers going to come to your house requiring you to clean, you're also going to have to make toddler friendly snacks for a crowd...oh, and then clean again after they all leave.

Actual statement: You can get other people to watch your kids for you by posting it on our Facebook page!

Subtext: I hope you like babysitting other people's kids for free.

Actual statement: If you decide to join, you'll be sent a packet containing all the rules and guidelines of the club!

Subtext: Oh, you thought this was going to be low-key and fun? You foolish bitch.

At first I thought I should join just to give it a shot (it's only 20 bucks to join), but after talking about it with my husband, I think I'm just going to pass. The women were nice enough, but it just sounds like so much freaking work. I already have mom friends and when one of them had a baby last summer, we all cooked for her, but somehow that just seems different. Probably because I actually know and like her, versus what I'm imagining here that involves cooking for people I don't really know and maybe don't even like.

I also realized today that the fact that I have run or walked with Faith every day (barring weather) since she was 1 week old has drastically changed how she behaves in the stroller. On our 5.2 mile walk this morning, we had many, many stops...and none of them were for Faith. She did get cranky at the end because I never make her sit in the stroller that long. I'm not sure I could do that on a weekly basis, but that could just be pregnancy crankiness talking. This humid weather is not conducive for a happy mood for me. I didn't get home from the walk until noon and by 12:30 I was running on the treadmill because I felt a need to shake my legs out after that walk. After a little over 4 miles, I felt better.

I'm pretty ok with not joining the club because I'm signing Faith up for dance class this summer (you know that's going to be a hoot) so she'll meet other kids her age that way and then she starts "school" in August and will get socialization there. Other than that, she gets to hang out with me and that's pretty fun too.

You're fun Mommy. I like that you let me make a mess and let Peanut lick me clean.

Are you in any clubs? I love my running club, but they never sent me a packet of rules and signing up was just a click on Active.com. Plus, they are an awesome group of people and many of them are crazier runners than me and that makes me feel more normal in comparison which is a key benefit of a club.