Move with baby
 

Hi

Is there anyone can offer any advice/websites I can look at to help with a move to Calgary.

We are possibly moving with our baby who by the time of the move will be 10 months.

We have lived overseas before (Singapore), but making the move with our little girl is very different. Are there any mums that can help who have been through it, as I'm going to need a lot of support with having no family around.

Things like how family friendly is it, are there plenty opportunity to meet other mums and make friends, websites and contacts I could make now would really help.

Any advice or tips etc would really be greatly appreciated.

Lynsey
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Re: Move with baby
 

Hey - we moved here last April with our 14 month old daughter. My wife is a stay at home mum and has used websites like Mums Town and MeetUp to meet with other mums and go on outings, play dates etc. She already has plenty of stuff to do during the week and made friends from it.

Calgary whilst not the most pumping city is certainly very family friendly. Where we live there are lots of really nice community parks etc.

Feel free to PM (private message) me for further info. You will need to make 2 more posts before you are allowed to PM people.

Cheers.

Re: Move with baby
 

Hi,

I have just moved here with a 2.5 year old, we have no family here. I have found Calgary to be an extreamly freindly place, I only need to go to a park and mums start talking to me, I have made lot of friends already. In each community depening on where you decide to live there is a community centre, if you know where you are going to live check out the community centre on line for that area, they have play groups, events for children etc, pools at some and hockey/ice rinks.

If you are staying in the city to start with, you can join the YMCA which has lots of classes for kids, swimming, music, baby gym I have met lots of mums through this. There is also a great indoor play area opposit in Eau claire shopping centre where lots of mums hang out. Calgary is a lot more child friendly than the UK, but the only problem I have found is getting my child into child care, there are not that many places available, we are now on several waiting lists.

Good luck, it is not as scarry as you think, people here are so much more freindly and help each other out.

Re: Move with baby
 

Thank you for the info!! I feel reassured by your responses.

It's not the moving away that bothers me its my little girl, I just worry it is the right thing for her.

When we lived in Singapore I found it quite difficult to find friends and find people I had things in common with but I think that had a lot to do with the place...... In hoping Calgary will be very different. I loved Singapore but would never consider it with my daughter.

I've looked at the websites you mentioned and there seems to be lots going on so fingers crossed things work out...... Should know for definate by the end if this week, then we can start house hunting!!

Thanks again
Lynsey

Re: Move with baby
 

Thanks for asking theses questions, Im sure my missus will get some re-assurance from this thread as our situation is very similar. Moving with a 9 month old baby to calgary!
Im finding it all rather exciting but she will be the one at home on her own without her mum around the corner etc. where as ill be occupied at work and coming home to her and baby.

Re: Move with baby
 

Im sure we all have the same worries and concerns, especially when there's a baby involved.....I'm not sure where we will be moving to yet, if indeed we are definatly going, but I'll have to get in touch with your wife then we can be new togethor!! :)

Re: Move with baby
 

Ill be sure to point her your way!

Our little one isnt due until July but we have been planing to make the jump over the pond for Feb 2013 which will mean our little-en will be more like 6 months old. One thing i know she was concerned about was flying with a baby on our laps for 9-10 hours but we have later found out that we can buy a seat for them and use a certain standard of car seat, so i think we will be doing that if the flights are reasonable enough.

Good luck

Re: Move with baby
 

OK, so we didn't move over with a baby; our youngest had just turned 3 when we came but I think the younger they are, the easier it is. Kids are so adaptable anyway. Also, from a mum's point of view, having young kids when you first arrive is such a great way to meet and make new friends. We live just outside Calgary and the whole area is very family friendly; so much do with little ones! I have several friends with toddlers and they always seem to be busy with one baby group or another. Plus, as they get a bit older there's no shortage of clubs and other organisations to get involved in with your kids too.

As far as not having our extended family close by, we've found we have so many friends who are in a similar situation and so we help each other out more.

Wish you all the best with your upcoming moves!! :thumb:

Re: Move with baby
 

From a flight perspective it is much easier when they are not mobile. I've gone back to the UK 3 times with just child and me- the first was definitely the easiest when he was 4 months old, the second was the hardest (14 months, full flight, he wanted to crawl everywhere, wouldn't settle, I almost lost it!) The third time when he was just over 2 and it was a bit better with his own seat although he still wouldn't settle for a sleep on the way out.

There will be 2 of you to take turns holding the baby, I wouldn't bother with a seat, extra expense and if there is a spare seat you will probably be given it. Note Air Canada require car seats to be Transport Canada approved, they give you baggage allowance for baby; Air Transat/Thomas Cook you get to take your stroller/car seat on board but no baggage allowance.

Helen

Re: Move with baby
 

Thanks for the replies.

We go on holiday in a few weeks and Jess has her own seat, the cost was not that different!

I feel reassured there's plenty to do with her, and hopefully we will make lots of friends, I agree having children must make it much easier to meet people..... I just then hope these turn into friendships that can give me some me time as well, I live Jess but a bit of time off is always good!! :)